The International Museum at the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy has opened its doors to the public.
The museum, situated at the former High Court complex adjoining the building of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, comprises chambers dedicated to countries which have connections with Buddhism, both Theravada and Mahayana.
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| The buidling that houses the museum |
November 17, last year saw the opening of the first section - the Chinese Buddhist Museum while the completed museum was opened last month by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to mark the 2600th Buddhathva Jayanthi. The countries represented excluding Sri Lanka are China, Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia,Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia , Bhutan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
The building, a landmark in Kandy, was formerly the Kandy Kachcheri built by the British over the former Palace of King Wimaladharmasuriya. The original aim after the vacation of the courts complex which was housed in this building was to convert the premises to a meditation centre and library. Though this was envisaged by former Diyawadana Nilame Neranjan Wijeyaratne, who was then in charge of administering the Sri Dalada Maligawa, several obstacles saw the premises remain closed, though it was subject to renovation by the Archaeological Department.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa then handed the building over to the Sri Dalada Maligawa and the present Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Pradeep Dela Bandara came up with the idea of establishing an International Museum. With the consent of the two Mahanayakes of Malwatta and Asgiri Chapters and under the supervision of well known archaelogist Prof. P.L. Premathilaka work on the museum began.
The Sri Lankan section depicts how during the reign of Emperor Asoka in India, Arahath Mahinda followed by Sangamiththa Theri brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka while the Indian chamber depicts the life of Lord Buddha after attaining Buddhahood. The Pakistan section depicts a thriving Buddhist civilization in ancient Gandhara (present day Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), while the Afghanistan section also depicts an ancient Buddhist civilization.
The Bhutan section showcases the spread of Mahayana Buddhism. Nepal, the birth place of Lord Buddha has a section depicting its Buddhist heritage. With Buddhism being the third largest religion in Bangladesh this section highlights its heritage of Theravada Buddhism while the sections of China and Korea depict their links to Buddhism. The Japanese section shows the advent of Buddhism from Korea while the Myanmar chamber explains its history of Theravada Buddhism.
The Thai section depicts how monks were brought down from Siam (now Thailand) to reintroduce ‘Upasampada’ - Higher Ordination of monks in Sri Lanka with Ven. Welivita Sri Saranankara Thera, playing a lead role to re-establish the tradition here.
The sections of Cambodia, Laos Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia depict their ties with Buddhism.
Kandy’s blocked fire gaps hamper firefighting
Mayor declares war on smalltime traders who have set up shop within fire gaps
By L..B. Senaratme
The fire at Kotugodelle Veediya on Friday in Kandy highlights the need to look into the safety of the city, by clearing all the 'fire gaps' developed by the British to safeguard the city, Kandy’s Mayor has said.
As political favours, these fire gaps have been turned into points of sale for traders .But, Kandy Mayor Raja Pushpakumar has decided to clear the back-lanes of Kandy, which is clogged with smalltime traders, some having put up permanent stalls as well.
These back lanes (fire gaps) were made in such a way that they could be entered into during any emergency, such as a fire.
When Mayor Pushpakumar and Municipal Commissioner Chandana Tennakoon visited the area while the fire was raging, they saw for themselves the difficulties faced by the firemen who were sometimes unable to access the fire gaps due to the permanent stalls.
Credit should go to the Fire and Rescue teams of the Kandy Municipality for the gallant battle in the early hours to stop the fire from spreading throughout Kotugodellle Veediya.
Mayor Pushpakumar said that he would commence clearing the fire gaps.
The damage following the fire has yet to be estimated. It is alleged that the wiring had been haphazard in these buildings, which houses high powered air conditioners
Municipal officials say this is because of poor work by electricians who claim to be engineers only going on their work experience. Their name boards and the stickers on their vehicles however carry the word ‘Engineer', they charged. |
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