SRI LANKA, July 2012 (sundaytimes.lk): One monk’s big idea will soon be a reality as Sri Lanka’s version of the Bamiyan Buddha — a 67.5 foot high granite Samadhi Buddha statue– takes shape in a little village in Kurunegala. Here, Ven. Egodamulla Amaramoli Thera relates the beginnings of a gigantic task that started with the chance meeting of an Indian sculptor.
It’s been eight years and four months since the day that renowned Indian sculptor Padma Sri M.M. Sthapathi and his men took on the gigantic task of carving out a 67.5 foot high Samadhi Buddha statue on a granite rock situated within the land of a temple in the quiet village of Rambodagalla in the Kurunegala district. The fruits of their labour have now taken the shape of an impressive Buddha figure, the first of its kind to be attempted since the Polonnaruwa era during which time the “Gal Viharaya” was carved more than 800 years ago.
The idea for the gigantic Buddha statue first dawned on the chief incumbent of Vidyasagara Pirivena Vihara, Monaragala, Rambodagalla, Venerable Egodamulla Amaramoli Thera as he sat aghast watching the wanton destruction of the gigantic Buddha statues at Bamiyan in Afghanistan. As the scenes of destruction unfolded over TV, the Thera resolved that he would do whatever possible to build a Buddha statue to rival those blown to oblivion by a group of religious extremists. “Due to the destruction, I wanted to begin a construction so that what befell the statues at Bamiyan would not be forgotten. I also wanted to bring about an awakening among the people of this country about their proud history during which period massive constructions were undertaken and have been left for posterity and have become a source of pride to all Sri Lankans.”
More details on the project can be obtained at the website http://www.samadhibuddhastatue.lk.