The ‘Deegawapiya Aruna’ Trust Fund received a donation worth of Rs. 50 million from the Board of Directors of the Buddhist Channel, yesterday (Mar 2).

Accordingly, the Rs. 50 million cheque was handed over to His Excellency the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat.

Secretary, Ministry of Defence and the State Ministry of National Security and Disaster Management who is the Chairperson of ‘Archaeological Heritage Management Presidential Task Force’ (PTF) for Eastern Province, Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) was also present at the event.  

Yesterday’s donation is intended for the construction of the ‘Pilgrims Rest’ since the total estimated budget of the projected building amounts to Rs. 75 million.

The balance of  Rs. 25 million for the ‘Pilgrims Rest’ was received from Sudath Tennakoon.

Plans are afoot to construct a full-fledged ‘Pilgrimages Rest’ (Vishrama Shalawa) at the sacred place of worship along with the Stupa restoration.

Former Chief Justice Sarath N Silva, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Secretary to the PTF and Senior Assistant Secretary to the President Jeevanthie Senanayake, Chairperson of TV Derana Dilith Jayaweera, Suranimala Senarathne, Harsha Alas and Sudath Tennakoon were also present at the occasion.     

The ‘Deegawapiya Trust Fund’ launching ceremony was held under the patronage of His Excellency the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Hon. Prime Minister and the Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, at the Sri Sambodhi Viharaya, Colombo on Feb 12.