Under the patronage of the Atamasthanadhipathi, Most Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, and as part of the Mahavihara Project implemented by the Central Cultural Fund, archaeological excavations were conducted between June and July 2024 to identify the outer structural segments of the southern wall near the Sri Maha Bodhi. Based on the findings unearthed during these excavations, conservation work was proposed for 2025.
Accordingly, conservation activities on the east-west oriented stone bond located outside the southern stone wall of Sri Maha Bodhi were initiated in January 2025 under the guidance of Dr Nilan Cooray, Director General of the Central Cultural Fund, and Dr Sumedha Mathota, Director (Development) as well as the Conservation Director of the Mahavihara Project. The project was coordinated by Ms Chunani Bandara, the Site Officer of the Mahavihara Project, and supervised by Ms Ruwini Kodithuwakku, the Site Conservation Officer. The conservation was successfully completed by April 30, 2025.
The work included several conservation measures aligned with archaeological standards. These included bonding the stone sections based on the archaeological evidence revealed during excavation, placement of stone joints (kadawara), application of capping stones (mudivara), filling gaps with lime mortar (kusthura), and landscaping the surrounding area to enhance the site’s visual integrity.
Throughout the process, the project received continuous supervision and guidance from the Director General and the Director of Conservation, enabling the successful completion of the conservation efforts within the scheduled time frame.
