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No official approval for “fake Dalada Maligawa” at Pothuhera; complaints of alleged racket
View(s):Those behind the ‘fake Dalada Maligawa’ under construction at Pothuhera have not obtained a recommendation letter from the District Secretariat to get it registered under the Buddha Sasana Ministry, Kurunegala District Secretary R M R Ratnayake said.
Mr Ratnayake said those who were constructing the building should obtain approval from the local council and the matter was not handled by District Secretariat.
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- The “fake Dalada Maligawa” similar to the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy is under construction at Pothuhera in Mahapitiyawatta-Ahungoda
“There is a police investigation regarding this fake Dalada Maligawa. The District Secretariat would take action and intervene if necessary,” he said.
The Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary Somaratne Vidanapathirana said the fake Dalada Maligawa was not registered under the Ministry.
On Thursday, President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed Police Chief C D Wickremeratne to immediately investigate the matter after requests were made by the Most Venerable Mahanayaka Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters and the Diyawadana Nilame of the Temple of the Tooth.
Pothuhera resident Nilanatha Ranasinghe, said a person who identified himself as Sri Bosath Janaka and is known for his traditional ointments and balms business, had got the support of villagers and donations to erect the “stupas” and claimed on social media that he made it.
The resident said the man had been conducting a series of religious activities, including Bodhi pooja, and got people to gather at the aramaya while setting up a young Bosath Buddhist Association.
Mr Ranasinghe said Sri Bosath Janaka had once even written to the former president, asking permission to have a pirith ceremony at the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. However, his request was refused.
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