Special fact finding mission to Dambadiwa

The Dambadiwa Buddhagaya considered to be the most hallowed precincts of Buddhist devotees was subject to harm recently, posing threats to the Sri Lankan devotees who visit the area in large numbers. A special delegation led by the Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakhitha Thera left for Dambadiwa yesterday afternoon by a special Sri Lankan flight on a fact finding mission about the security of the sacred area.

The group

The group is scheduled to arrive in Bangalore and would visit the sacred sites in Dambadiwa, during a period of five days and observe and asses the present situation there

is scheduled to arrive in Bangalore and would visit the sacred sites in Dambadiwa, during a period of five days and observe and asses the present situation there.

Resulting from the recent attack on Buddhagaya, most devotees were reluctant to visit the holy sites, fearing reprisals by terrorists groups, but however with the central government of India and the Bihar Province stepping up security in Buddhagaya and the other sacred sites, the situation seems to be normal now.

When travelling to Dambadiwa via Tamil Nadu province, the Lankan devotees underwent much difficulty including threats to their lives.

Taking a serious note from this predicament, the devotees were subjected to a new route via Bangalore and the delegates would use this new route to arrive in Dambadiwa.

A special Bodhi Pooja had been lined up for October 04 evening in front of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya in Buddhagaya to invoke blessings on the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the country, by the Ven. Asgiriya Chief Prelate and the Maha Sangha.

The presidential coordinating secretary on religious affairs Ven. Watinapaha Somananda Thera and Venerable Kahawatte Saranankara Thera had accompanied the Asgiriya chief Prelate on this tour.