Oldest Buddhist murals in the country in dilapidated state-Asela KURULUWANSA
The oldest murals in the country in the Hindagala Rajamaha Viharaya, which is more than 1,800 years old, are in a dilapidated state.
These murals which depict the Buddha preaching the Dharma to the deities, are now beyond recognition, Ven. Ambilmeegama Dhammakitthi Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the temple said.
The Thera said these paintings span over four ancient eras in the country.
He also said that many of the murals in the Raja Maha Viharaya are currently on the brink of destruction.
Ven. Dhammakitthi Thera lamented that many murals belonging to Anuradhapura, Gampola, Kotte and Kandy eras are being destroyed in this way. He said the Hindagala Rajamaha Viharaya is the only historical temple that has ancient murals representing the four historical eras of this country.
He said that even though the Department of Archeology and the Central Cultural Fund jointly carried out some renovations after the matter was raised by the media, he was not satisfied with the work.
Some of the murals in the temple are being conserved and Buddha Sasana and Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka visited the temple on Tuesday to look into the matter.
The Minister who inquired about the damage and the renovation work, instructed the officials to finish the work as soon as possible.
