via Daily News, 29 November 2023: The Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka issued a warning after the Avukana Buddha statue was dressed in a saffron robe without permission. This act, carried out for the Katina festival, sparked a probe as it involved a historic and archaeologically significant statue. The Viharadhipathi admitted to arranging the robing, unaware of the legal need to inform the Department of Archaeology.
The Department of Archaeology has informed the Viharadhipathi Thera of Avukana Rajamaha Viharaya with a warning that if these types of actions are done using statues or any other items of historical and archaeological value, they must get permission in writing from the Director General of Archaeology, otherwise they will be dealt with according to the law.
A complaint has been filed at the Galnawa Police Station in a statement signed by the Acting Director General of Archaeology, Nishanthi Jayasinghe regarding the incident, Department of Archaeology stated.
A few days ago, social media published news about the Avukana Buddha statue being dressed with a saffron robe with photos, and it was widely discussed in the society. The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wickremanayake ordered an immediate systematic probe to be carried out into the incident.
Source: Avukana Buddha statue robing: Warning given by Archaeology Dept. – DailyNews
