Sunday Times 2
Bellanwila Raja Maha Vihara lit by solar power
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Bellanwila Raja Maha Vihara is constantly visited by a large number of devotees day and night. Therefore, the electricity bill of the temple is high. The bill was always paid from temple funds.
The current power cuts have hindered the administrative activities of the temple as well as the worship activities of the devotees. Due to the increase in electricity charges, there was also a high increase in the electricity bill, averaging more than Rs 8 lakhs a month.
In response to these issues, chief incumbent of Bellanwila Raja Maha Vihara and the chief Sanghanayaka of Singapore Reverend Dr Bellanwila Dhammarathana Nayaka thero, had discussions with the Donor Council, Bodhi Conservation Committee and Perahera Committee, to solve the electricity problems of the temple, and a decision was made to install two solar power systems.
Accordingly, a grid connected roof-top solar power system with the capacity of 50 KW was established to supply electricity to the temple – at a cost of Rs 135 lakhs. In addition, an off-grid solar system with the capacity of 10KW was implemented to provide electricity during power cuts – at a cost of Rs 38 lakhs.
The installation was done by Solifex Private Limited. These two projects have started supplying electricity from November 14.