Friday, September 03, 2004
Mangala Maha Viharaya in Pothuvil vandalized says Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera
By Damitha Hemachandra
Mangala Maha Viharaya in Pothuvil with centuries old artifacts, statues and image houses is reportedly being destroyed by certain provincial politicians and villagers while officials of the Archaeology Department close their eyes and deny such actions said the celebrated historian and JHU leader, Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera. The Thera said there was historical evidence to indicate that the the temple was the original place of Queen Vihara Mahadevi's landing.
According to Ven. Medhananda Thera the temple had been built by King Kavanthissa to celebrate his marriage to Princess Devi, the daughter of King Kelanitissa.
" There had been no thorough archaeological survey and inspection of the area, although nearly 100 stone columns were unearthed nearly three decades back. Most of these columns had been transported out of the site and are been sold as artifacts" he said.
Situated in a site spreading over nearly 30 acres the temple had been declared a historical conservation site in 1965 and according to Jatika Sanga Sammelanaya (JSS) the temple had been the receiving end of 'planned sacrilege' since 1982.
Many statues had been destroyed by the habitants of the area while invaluable 'sandakadapahana' and Buddha statues too had been destroyed or been used for other uses.
"Although we have informed the Archaeological Department several times about the damage done to the site, the Archaeological officer in the area had denied such incidents through his reports," he said.
The Chief Incumbent of the temple, who had reportedly been long resisting the violence of the local politicians and villagers had fled since the security guard, who was appointed by the Archaeological Department also, had allegedly turned against him.
According to JSS a three - storey mosque had been built within the Archaeological Conservation Area, while a provincial politician had located five acres for himself and had distributed majority of the conservation land among the villagers.
The poverty stricken villagers in the area had been forced to pay money for the state owned land granted to them through forged deeds and many had used stone pillars, 'sandakadapahana' and other parts of the temple for construction of houses.
However Archaeological Department said that the appointed guard of the site had thrice informed them that most of these accusations are baseless.
"Whenever there had been such complaints we have requested the guardian at the Viharaya to investigate the matter he had denied such accusations thrice through his reports," Archaaeological Department official said
Mangala Maha Viharaya in Pothuvil with centuries old artifacts, statues and image houses is reportedly being destroyed by certain provincial politicians and villagers while officials of the Archaeology Department close their eyes and deny such actions said the celebrated historian and JHU leader, Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera. The Thera said there was historical evidence to indicate that the the temple was the original place of Queen Vihara Mahadevi's landing.
According to Ven. Medhananda Thera the temple had been built by King Kavanthissa to celebrate his marriage to Princess Devi, the daughter of King Kelanitissa.
" There had been no thorough archaeological survey and inspection of the area, although nearly 100 stone columns were unearthed nearly three decades back. Most of these columns had been transported out of the site and are been sold as artifacts" he said.
Situated in a site spreading over nearly 30 acres the temple had been declared a historical conservation site in 1965 and according to Jatika Sanga Sammelanaya (JSS) the temple had been the receiving end of 'planned sacrilege' since 1982.
Many statues had been destroyed by the habitants of the area while invaluable 'sandakadapahana' and Buddha statues too had been destroyed or been used for other uses.
"Although we have informed the Archaeological Department several times about the damage done to the site, the Archaeological officer in the area had denied such incidents through his reports," he said.
The Chief Incumbent of the temple, who had reportedly been long resisting the violence of the local politicians and villagers had fled since the security guard, who was appointed by the Archaeological Department also, had allegedly turned against him.
According to JSS a three - storey mosque had been built within the Archaeological Conservation Area, while a provincial politician had located five acres for himself and had distributed majority of the conservation land among the villagers.
The poverty stricken villagers in the area had been forced to pay money for the state owned land granted to them through forged deeds and many had used stone pillars, 'sandakadapahana' and other parts of the temple for construction of houses.
However Archaeological Department said that the appointed guard of the site had thrice informed them that most of these accusations are baseless.
"Whenever there had been such complaints we have requested the guardian at the Viharaya to investigate the matter he had denied such accusations thrice through his reports," Archaaeological Department official said
