Built by the Methsaviya Sansadaya, it is located at the Mahiyangana Purana Rajamaha Viharaya.
“History records Mahiyanganaya as the first place visited by the Lord Buddha nine months after receiving enlightenment,” said Vidyakeerthi Prof. Chandana Jayaratne, President of the Meth Saviya Sansadaya.
“It is also recorded that the Lord Buddha donated a lock of hair to the leader of those who heard his preaching and embraced the noble path.
This leader who was known as King Saman (Known today as Saman Deviyo), enshrined the relics and built the first Dagoba in Mahiyanganaya.
This has been gradually increased in height during later years.
On completion, this will be the tallest Buddha statue in Sri Lanka at 84-feet.
The statue was unveiled on Sunday May, 28, 2023.”
Nemantha Abeysinghe, General Manager, Nippon Paint Lanka, said they were very happy to be associated in such a noble venture.
“It is an honour for us to be able join the Meth Saviya Sansadaya to have the statue painted with high-quality, weather-resistant, and long-lasting Nippon Paint.
Buddhism is the religion of the majority in Sri Lanka and we consider this as a contribution from Nippon Paint to the propagation of religion and culture in Sri Lanka.”
“We are deeply grateful to Nippon Paint Lanka for their noble gesture in donating not one but five coats of paint to withstand the heavy rains, winds and sunshine at this location,” Prof. Jayaratne said.