LOW QUALITY TIMBER SUPPLIED FOR RENOVATION OF “POYA GEYA”

The Chairman of the “Deyata Kirula” National Development Exhibition Committee, Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, has instructed the Archaeological Dept. to use timber of proper standard instead of the timber that was already brought for the renovation work of the roof of “Poya Geya”at Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya.

The Mihintale Sacred Area will also be developed under the Anuradhapura District Crash Development Programme on the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the event of “Deyata Kirula” National Development Exhibition, which will be held for 10 days from February 4 at Oya Maduwa coinciding with the National Independence Day celebration. Under this programme, the Archaeological Dept. is now car

ry- ing out the renovation works for the dilapidated Poya Geya at Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya.

Mihintale Raja Maha Vihara Chief Incumbent Walawahengunuwe Dhamma Rathana Thero had informed the authorities that the timber brought for construction work for the roof was not of proper standard.

Following the information, National Heritage Ministry Senior Assistant Secretary Wijitha Nanda Kumara, Archeological Director General Dr. Senerath Dissanayake and the Anuradhapura State Timber Corporation Regional Director visited the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya. They confirmed that the timber supplied, such as jak, palu, kumbuk and mee, was not dried to standard.

Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya also visited the site and, after observing the matter, ordered Archeological Dept. officers to get the timber of the ap-

Under this programme, the Archaeological Dept. is now carrying out the renovation works for the dilapidated

Poya Geya at Mihintale Raja Maha

Viharaya

propriate standard from the State Timber Corporation and accelerate the construction of the Poya Geya.