Sandahiru Stupa ‘Crest-Gem’ and ‘Minaret’ exposition to begin | Sunday Observer

Sandahiru Stupa ‘Crest-Gem’ and ‘Minaret’ exposition to begin

1 August, 2021

Exposition of the ‘Crest-Gem’ and the ‘Minaret’ of Sandahiru Stupa around the country in a religious procession for public veneration will commence on Aug 8, 2021 Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) said.

The religious procession will arrive at 48 temples covering 18 districts around the island, starting from the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, and will travel over 47 days, he said.

The Defence Secretary said that according to healthcare measures scheduled to be taken in coordination with respective regional healthcare authorities “there won’t be unnecessary gatherings”.

During a media briefing held at the Defence Ministry on Friday (July 30), Gen. Gunaratne said “Once completed, the gigantic Sandahiru Seya is only second to Ruwanweli Maha Seya in height”.

The Defence Secretary denoting the culmination of the construction process stated that the “Stupa would be vested in devotes hopefully in Nov 2021” adding that “The unveiling of ‘Minaret’ is scheduled to be held on Nov 18”.

The motorcade will commence their passage daily starting from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm and revered items will be kept open for public veneration even during the night at each destination from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm, a project official said.

Responding to a question on traffic control, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) C. D. Wickramaratne said “Commuter traffic would be controlled accordingly without hampering the regular flow”.

“The Police divisions have also been informed”, he added.

Recalling the Sandahiru Seya construction which commenced under the directives of the 5th Executive President and the present Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, in appreciation of the noble services rendered by the Security Forces personnel to rid the country of terrorism, he said, “It was built with the contribution of Tri-Forces personnel, devotees and various donors”.

Gen. Gunaratne said, “As long as the moon and the sun rises, this mammoth religious structure will remain as a place of worship and a symbol of gratitude for fallen and wounded war veterans”.

The event symbolised the maiden media brief held at the new Defence Ministry at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte with the participation of Tri-Forces, Police and Civil Security Department Chiefs.

Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, IGP C. D. Wickramaratne, Director General of Civil Security Department Maj. Gen. Ranjan Lamahewage, Defence Ministry officials, senior military officials were present at the media briefing.

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