The second stage of the Deegawapiya Stupa restoration project was launched by placing a symbolic Stupa brick by General Kamal Gunaratne, the ‘Author of the Deegawapiya Aruna Trust’ and ‘First Trustee’, at the Deegawapiya premises, on July 10.
This is a another instant of close collaboration of Sri Lanka military and the Buddhist establishment, observers say.
A media release by Ministry of Defence says that “Gen. Kamal Gunaratne is the the driving force behind the entire project since its beginning.
Gen. Kamal Gunaratna a close associate of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, serves as secretary of defence since December 2019.
A strong critic of Ranil Wickremasinghe before he became the president, now works under him.
The visiting delegation led by Gen. Gunaratne during his visit reviewed peripheral constructions in the site while paying his attention into the Shrine Hall and the Relic House which are being erected at a rapid phase.
Whole process is funded by the ‘Deegawapiya Aruna Trust Fund’ which is generously supported by the philanthropists. Devotees who are eager to witness the former glory of Deegawapiya Stupa at their naked eye.