The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wickremanayake, has called for a comprehensive investigation into an incident involving the Avukana Buddha statue. Pictures circulating on social media depict the iconic statue adorned with a robe, prompting concerns and questions about the unauthorized alteration.
The Avukana Buddha statue, located near Kekirawa in North Central Sri Lanka, stands at an imposing height of over 14 meters. The statue is renowned for its depiction of the Buddha in a reassuring posture, characterized by a raised hand in the Abhaya mudra variation.
Minister Wickremanayake expressed the need for a systematic probe into the circumstances surrounding the adorning of the statue with a robe. The incident has garnered attention and sparked discussions about the sanctity of cultural and religious symbols.
Authorities are expected to delve into the details of the unauthorized alteration to determine if any individuals or groups are responsible for the act.
