Vidura Wickramanayaka Archives

Largest inscription from Dimbulagala belongs to beginning of 2nd century BC or earlier-By CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Source:Dailymirror Image Source:Dailymirror Colombo, Feb 8 (Daily Mirror) – The largest inscription ever in Sri Lanka, found from the Dimbulagala Monastery grounds, belongs to the beginning of the second centrury BC or earlier than that, Sri Jayawardenapura University History and Archaeology professor Karunasena Hettiarachchi said. Addressing the media, he said 60 percent of this inscription was unreadable and 40 percent was readable. “This inscription was written in Brahmi characters. We found that 24 Brahmi characters were used on the inscription. At least 1,000 characters were used. Moreover, there are several rare symbols, which have never been seen by officials through their previous inscriptions,” he said. According to the signs, characters, and unique symbols, the committee had decided to announce that the inscription belonged to the beginning of the second centrum BC or earlier than ...

Oldest Buddhist murals in the country in dilapidated state-Asela KURULUWANSA Buddha Sasana and Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka with Chief Incumbent of the temple Ven. Ambilmeegama Dhammakitthi Thera. Source:Dailynews 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. ...