Ancient Buddha statue destroyed by Portuguese in Pilimathalawa replaced

By Shane Seneviratne

The ancient statue of the Buddha in Gadaladeniya Sri Saddharmatileka historic temple in Pilimathalawa destroyed by the Portuguese invaders in the 16 century was replaced with a new statue yesterday.   

The statue taken in procession from Colombo was handed over to the Sri Saddharmatileka Rajamaha Vihara by President of the Bauddhaloka Foundation Jagath Sumathipala. Later it was enshrined in the inner shrine room of the temple.  

The keynote address of the ceremony was delivered by Senior Lecturer of the Archaeological Studies Faculty of the Buddhist and Pali University Ishanka Malsiri.

Mahanayake of Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Warakagoda Gnanarathana Thero, Anunayake of Malwatta Chapter Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimalabuddhi, Anunayake of Malwatta Chapter Dr, Niyangoda Vijithasiri, Anunayake of Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Wednaruwe Upali, Anunayake of Sigiriya Chapter Ven. Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Theras were present at the occasion.