It is the responsibility of future leaders to safeguard fallen heroes who were dedicated for the freedom of the motherland and to protect the freedom given by war heroes-Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa
The religious ceremony to unveil the “Sanda Hiru Seya” in Anuradhapura was held under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday.
The “Sanda Hiru Seya” was built under the guidance of the then Defence Secretary and the current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa according to a concept by the 5th executive President, the current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, to commemorate the fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives for the unity of the motherland, to invoke blessings on the differently abled fallen heroes and to mark the end of 30 year battle against terrorism.
The Tri-Forces, the Police, the Civil Defence Force, clergy and the common people made financial donations as well as providing labour.
This is the largest stupa built in Sri Lanka after King Mahasen built the Jethavanaramaya in Anuradhapura in 301 AD.
Construction work on the “Sanda Hiru Seya” commenced on November 22, 2010 and the relics were placed on November 22, 2014.
The Sanda Hiru Seya, which is 282.6 feet high from the ‘Salapathala Maluwa’ has a circumference of 800 feet.
This bubble shape pagoda houses the sacred relics including the sacred Kapilavastu Relics. The height of the pinnacle (Chuda Manikyaya) placed in the pagoda is three feet six inches. The new pinnacle (Chuda Manikyaya) is made out of 1,895 gemstones, gold as well as pearls.
The President and the Prime Minister unveiled the plaque and the pinnacle of the “Sanda Hiru Seya” amidst the Jaya Pirith chanting, Deva Aradhana and sounds of Hewisi.
The Maha Sangha and the chief guests offered flowers and incense to the Buddha statue at the main Wahalkada and at the shrine room in the temple.
The President placed the jewelleries in the casket of the sacred relics and opened the ‘Dolosmahe Pahana’. President Rajapaksa also offered “Sanda Hiru Seya” to the Buddha Sasana and also commenced the Viduli Aloka Pooja (Illumination with electricity) for the stupa. The first Gilanpasa Pooja for the “Sanda Hiru Seya”, the presentation of the book on the history of the “Sanda Hiru Seya” and the launch of the song took place on this occasion.
The Anunayaka of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Ven. Dr. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera and the Anunayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Ven. Wendaruwe Upali Thera delivering special sermons said that “Sanda Hiru Seya” would be unveiled to the world as a great deed done in appreciation of the service rendered by the fallen heroes.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said that every time people worship the stupa, blessings will be invoked on all fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives to bring peace to the country and to all those who died during the war.
