Ranviyana

By L.B.Senaratne

The gold foil on the ” Ran Viyana “: or the Golden Campoy is now peeling off and this needs rehabilitation. as the canopy  covers 3450 square feet
The Diyawadna Nilame Pradep Nilanga Dela told the ” Daily Mirror” that he is seeking the advice of the engineers of  the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Peradeniya to inspect and give a report on this issue.
The” Ranviyana” was   a controversial issue  for many reasons, when it was ordered by the former President Ranasinghe Premadasa as the Canopy was to be built over the wattle and daub ancient building which has withstood even  the Bomb Blast of the LTTE cadres
Engineers of the day felt that it is because of the wattle and daub walls  of the ‘ Vedihitistayana ‘ had withstood the bomb.
However after sixteen years the thinking was that the “Thin Gold film” should be replaced or cleaned and Former President Mithripala Sirisena, gave a outright  grant of 43 Million rupees for its renovation and after renovation it was opened by the President himself.
The work wa entrusted to the State Engineering Corporation and a contract wa signed by the District Secretary Hitiseker and the State Engineering Corporation.
Now the gold leaveas are peeling off and it has become a problem.
The Diyawadna Nilame therefore had taken stops to invite the Faculty of  Engineering Dons to examine and report as to what should be done or for another rehabilitation.  It is a huge undertaking. .
It is learnt that the Divsional Secretary and others had discussed this matter over the week and a decison would be taken by them and in the meantime the Diyawadna Nilame as the custodian would take to protect as it covers the Sacred Tooth Relic Golden Karanduwa
Photgraphs
1. Former President inspects the gold foil at the openignof the rehabilitated canopy in 2018. With the President is the Diywadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela.
2. A bird’s eye  view of the ” Ran Viyana “