ලංකාපුවත්, ශ්‍රී ලංකා ජාතික ප්‍රවෘත්ති නියෝජිත ආයතනය.

(Colombo, Lankapuvath) - A gold casket carrying relics of Buddha was offered by Dr. Samadhi Rajapakse, of the Cancer Institute, Maharagama to Ven. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Maha Nahimi, the Viharadipathi of Somawathi Rajamaha Viharaya at a ceremony organized recently in the temple premises, in Somawathiya.

This was a historical event as this casket was the one offered to this temple nearly 1200 years ago by ancient kings for the purpose of taking it in procession. This casket containing relics of Buddha was placed on the elephant by Dr. Samadhi Rajapakse to proceed with the Esala Perahera, last Sunday, the Poya day.

The casket which weighs 3 and half kilos is made of two and a half kilos of pure silver and the balance with 22 karat gold.

In addition the casket was adorned with precious stones such as diamonds, blue sapphires, rubies, pearls etc. and jewelery donated by a large number of devotees. A priceless gem donated by a devotee too is embedded into this casket.

A large number of devotees paid their homage to Buddha at this historic moment of the casket  being handed over to the Chief incumbent of the Viharaya and when it was taken in procession.

This event was followed with lighting of 84,000 oil lamps to invoke blessings on the nation, Sambuddha Sasana, and the Security Forces.