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Inspiring Buddha statues on the bank of Wila Oya – Text & Pix by Mahil Wijesinghe Reminiscing an adventurous trek into the wilderness in search of vandalised Buddha statues of Budupatuna The Kumbuk Poottuwa (Arch) across Wila Oya Source:Sunday Observer Last week I watched a news telecast in a TV channel that showed an archaeological team engaged in an exploration of the archaeological site of Budupatuna in Wila Oya at Lahugala-Kumana where rock-hewn statues of the Buddha have been vandalised by treasure hunters in the forest reserve in the Ampara district. The team headed by Prof. Raj Somadeva who had visited the site recently claimed that they found these ruined statues of the Buddha of Mahayana sect for the first time in the area. I visited this site with some friends in 2018 and found the place vandalised by treasure hunters, which stood deserted in the middle of the jungle. Having ...