The inauguration ceremony for the conservation of the Bodhi tree base and the expansion of the Bodhi precinct at the historic Padeniya Raja Maha Viharaya, implemented under the North Western Project managed by the Panduwasnuwara site office of the Central Cultural Fund, was held today (20th) at the auspicious time of 10:02 a.m. under the patronage of Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, Dr. H. Sunil Seniviratne.
The event, conducted under the guidance of the Chief Incumbent of the Padeniya Raja Maha Viharaya, Ven. Katumuluwe Sumanarathana Thero, was attended by Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Kurunegala District Member of Parliament Sujeewa Dissanayake, Director General of the Central Cultural Fund Dr. Nilan Cooray, Director (Development) of the Central Cultural Fund Dr. Sumedha Mathota, Director of Conservation of the North Western Province Dr. Samitha Manawadu, former Director of the Peradeniya Botanical Garden Dr. Bathiya Sumithrarachchi, North Western Project Manager Sajith Nuwan Wanasinha, Project Director D.M. Anura Kumara, Officer in charge of the Panduwasnuwara site Ramyalatha, Assistant Director of Archaeology of the North Western Province Rathnapala, officials from the Department of Archaeology, Officer-in-Charge of the Wariyapola Police Station Rajapaksha along with other police officers, and members of the Dayaka Sabha (supporting council) of the Padeniya Raja Maha Viharaya.
