Sunday Times 2
Give a helping hand to rebuild temples in the North
View(s):The end of the war should have meant the beginning of better times, but for a lot of Sinhalese Buddhists living in former ‘border villages’ of the Northern Province, the situation has not become much better, says Asanka Artigala, chairman of the Programme to develop Sinhalese villages and Buddhist temples in remote areas of the North. This volunteer programme has been extending a hand to Sinhalese communities in the North over the past six years.
Restoration work at the Raja Maha Viharaya in Moneragala
Asanka points out that the North is rich with the relics of a once flourishing Buddhist civilization, with centres such as Nagadipa, the Dambakola Patuna temple, Kadurugoda and Thiriyaya. Despite such a robust heritage, he says, many temples are in dire need of assistance. Asanka says that in some villages a single bus runs once every day, while even the most basic amenities are only available about 10km away from most homes.
During the past six years the development programme o renovate temples has made admirable headway, though in complete silence with no fanfare. The image house of the Weli Oya Weheratenna Raja Maha Viharaya was painted with murals while the Welioya Hembelawewa daham pasala was completely furnished with tables and chairs. Computers and projectors were donated to the Roshan Mahanama Vidyalaya in Welioya. The programme also developed the Kelebogaswewa pre school in Vavuniya and distributed school equipment to the students of the Kokilai Sinhala School in Mullaitivu. In addition they have donated many farmers’ associations with water tanks while helping to empower disabled persons by donating wheelchairs.
Currently, the programme is completing the murals at the image house of the Galkulama Raja Maha Viharaya in Moneragala.
If you would like to be of assistance, please contact Asanka Artigala on 071 8585478 or 077 8169769, or write to: Chairman, Programme to develop rural temples and Sinhalese villages in the North, 38, Pattiyagama, Pugoda.