Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), the Defence Secretary as the Author of the Deegawapiya Aruna Trust and First Trustee, engaged in a field study tour at the historic Deegawapiya Stupa premises at Ampara on Saturday (Nov 09), to review the progress of Stupa Restoration Project.

Defence Secretary visited the brick production site of Deegawapiya Stupa Restoration Project and issued instructions to complete the work rapidly and systematically.

Following a meeting with the Chief Prelate of Deegawapiya Raja Maha Viharaya Ven. Mahaoya Sobhitha Thero, Defence Secretary worshiped at Deegawapiya Stupa and laid a brick in the Stupa that is being constructed. There, AVM Thuyacontha (Retd) discussed the construction progress and future work with the project officials and gave them appropriate instructions.

After worshiping the newly constructed Relics Chamber, he also visited the Most Ven. Daranagama Kusaladhamma Thero Memorial Hall, the Alms Offering Hall and the Shrine Room under construction.

Accordingly, AVM Thuyacontha (Retd) chaired a discussion with the participation of Ven. Maha Sangha and the project officers and looked into the existing issues on the restoration works. Further, the necessary technical instructions were given to the project officials for the most effective completion of the construction.

The Chief Prelate of Deegawapiya Raja Maha Viharaya Ven. Mahaoya Sobhitha Thero, Director General of the Civil Security Department, Senior Defence Ministry officials, senior military officers, Police, Special Task Force officers, Archaeology Department officials and the concerned project officials were present at the occasion.