As pledged in the manifesto and bearing in mind the magnitude, President Rajapaksa gazetted an 11-member Presidential Task Force (PTF) for Archaeological Heritage Management in the Eastern Province on Jun 02, 2020, while appointing Defence Secretary Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne as the Chairman.

Purawidya Chakravarthi Ven. Ellawala Medhananda thero, Eastern and Northern Provinces Chief Prelate Ven. Panamure Thilakawansha thero, university academics and senior state officials are the other members of the PTF.

Addressing the members of the PTF on ‘Archaeological Heritage Management in the Eastern Province’, at its inaugural meeting held at the Defence Ministry on Jun 11, 2020 the Defence Secretary who is the Chairperson of the PTF, requested all stakeholders irrespective of their race, religion and other differences to support the PTF to preserve Sri Lanka’s historical heritage in the Eastern Province for future generation.

Preliminary planning for the functioning of the process was set up during the inaugural meeting under the guidance of the Chairman.

The PTF members Purawidya Chakravarthi Ven. Ellawala Medhananda thero, Chief Prelate of the Eastern and Northern Provinces Ven. Panamure Thilakawansha thero, Governor Eastern Province Anuradha Yahampath, Director General of Archaeology Dr. Senarath Bandara Dissanayake, Land Commissioner General Chandra Herath, Surveyor General A.L.S.C. Perera, Prof. of Archeology of the University of Kalaniya, Prof. Raj Kumar Somadeva, Secretary of the Ministry of Buddhasasana. Religious and Cultural Affairs Prof. Kapila Gunawardena, Senior DIG Western Province Deshabandu Thennakoon, Provincial Land Commissioner, Eastern Province H.E.M.W.G. Dissanayake, Chairman of Derana Media Network Dilith Jayaweera and Senior Assistant Secretary to the President Jeevanthie Senanayake were present at the inaugural meeting held at the Defence Ministry.

On Aug 19, 2020, a few more members were appointed to the Eastern Province Presidential Task Force for Archaeological Heritage Management, under the guidance of the President.

Accordingly, Abhidhana Anunayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter, the Most Venerable Vendaruwe Dharmakeerthi Sri Rathanapala Upali Thero,General Secretary of the Malwathu Chapter, Venerable Dr. Pahamune Sumangala Nayaka Thero,General Secretary of the Asgiri Chapter, Dr. Venerable Medagama Dhammananda Nayaka Thero, and Member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Malwathu Chapter, Shasthravedi Venerable Ambanwalle Sri Sumangala Thero were appointed to the PTF.

Afterwards, the PTF members and the relevant state officials made an official visit to the Deegawapiya Raja Maha Viharaya in Ampara to hold a further discussion on commencing its renovation work with the Chief Prelate on Aug 29, 2020.

Venerable Maha Sangha including Deegawapiya Raja Maha Viharaya Nayaka thero, Ven. Mahawewa Sobhitha, Aranthala International Buddhist Centre Ven. Kirindiwela Somarathne thero, Buddhist Television Channel Director and the Chief Prelate of Sri Sambodhi Viharaya Colombo Ven. Boralande Wajiragnana and Matikotuwa Ancient Temple Rajakeeya Panditha Ven. Yatihana Wimala Buddha had discussions with the top delegation at the temple.

Parliamentarian Dr. Thilak Rajapakse, Eastern Province Governor Anuradha Yahampath, Army Chief Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, Chairperson of Defence Ministry’s Seva Vanitha Unit Chithrani Gunaratne, Army Seva Vanitha Unit President Sujeewa Nelson, Security Force Commander (East) Gen. J.C. Gamage, 24 Divisional Commander Gen T.D. Weerakoon, Civil Security Department (CSD) Deputy Director Rear Admiral Udeni Serasinghe, Commander South Eastern Naval Area Rear Admiral Senerath Wijesooriya, Commissioner General of Archaeology Department Prof. Senarath Dissanayake and Defence Ministry officials were also present at the meeting.

Summoning another meeting, Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne held discussions with Maha Sanga about the progress of proposed details at the Defence Ministry on Oct 16, 2020.

Further arrangements were discussed over the table and the meeting culminated making decisions to commence the tangible progression in an auspicious time and date.

Venerable Maha Sanga including the Chief Prelate of Deegawapiya Temple Ven. Mahaoya Sobhitha thero, Chief Prelate of Sri Sambodhi Viharaya, Colombo Ven. Boralande Vajiragnana thero, Archaeology Department Commissioner General Prof. Senerath Dissanayake, Director General CSD Rear Admiral (Retd) Ananda Peiris, Architects, Surveyors, Defence Ministry Officials and Senior Military Officers were present at the Defence Ministry for the discussion.

On completion of initial planning as discussed in pre-meetings, renovation of this ancient sacred temple site was ceremonially inaugurated under the guidance of the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on November 11, 2020 at the Deegawapiya premises in Ampara.

The Prime Minister and the Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa laid the foundation stone for the inaugural ‘Deegawapiya Stupa’ restoration project.

Accordingly the ‘Stone Paved Terrace’ (Salapathalamaluwa), the ‘Dome’ (Stupa) and the ‘Pilgrims' Rest’ (Vishrama Shalawa) will be completed in the initial stage.

Surroundings would be designed with a tree planting project to bring the vicinity to an attractive atmosphere.

Under the able guidance and supervision of the Defence Secretary Gen. Gunaratne, a ‘Trust Fund’ dedicated for the enormous task was established with a view to generate much needed funds for the project.

Thus, state funds wouldn’t be utilised, however funds collection would be from contributions made by Buddhists living in Sri Lanka and abroad to accomplish the renovation.

According to the recommendations of archaeologists and officials of the Archaeology Department, it is expected to complete the restoration work of this Stupa within three years.

The Sri Lanka Army and CSD will provide their assistance for this noble endeavour.

The Sacred Deegawapiya Buddhist temple is one of the prominent archaeological sites in the Eastern Province. This site with archaeological importance was built by King Saddhatissa and according to the Mahawansa, its history dates back to the 3rd century BCE.

Mahawansa annals depict that this mega Stupa was built by depositing precious ‘Nail Relics’ of Lord Buddha.

This is a sacred site not only for local devotees but for Buddhists around the world.

Devotees, Philanthropists, donors and the citizens of the country are invited to support this great charity in any means possible.