Secretary Defence unveils the Pinnacle at Sithulpawwa

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa ceremonially unveiled the Crest Gem of the Pinnacle at the Sithulpwwa Raja Maha Vihara Dagoba on Monday (4th). The Secretary Defence was accompanied by Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa, Chairperson of the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.

The “Savanak Res” programme telecast by ITN on every Poya Day was aired  from the Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Vihare. Many religious programmes, including Sil and meditation campaigns were organized throughout the day. The Chief Incumbent of the Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Vihare the Ven. Metaramba Hemarathana Thera delivered the main Dhamma Sermon.
Sithulpawwa rock temple has a history of over 2200 years, located in the Hambantota district of Sri Lanka's Southern Province. It is believed that the modern name Sithulpawwa derived from the word 'Chittalapabbata' which means 'the hill of the quiet mind'. it is believed that this rock temple once housed a total of 12,000 Arhats. (monks that have achieved the highest mind level in Buddhism) Maha Sithulpauwa rock is 400 feet in height and it houses an intricate cave complex and the dagoba situated on top of the rock; the dagoba is believed to have been built by king Kawantissa.

The rock temple was a place of worship for devotees as well as a centre of Buddhist scholarship. The rock temple is famous for its early Brahmi script, ruins of the preaching house and the fragments of paintings that can be viewed at the image house.