New Buddha statue is brought from Sri Lanka for newly established Sri Sambuddha Viharaya in Liverpool

Sri Sambuddha Viharaya, Liverpool. A new Samadhi Buddhist statue (Budu Pilima Vahanse) was unveiled on Monday, 13th 2014 at an auspicious time. We would like to thank both Mrs. Nishanthi Thrikawala and Mrs. Sandaseeli Welhengama for bearing all expenses for purchasing this statute and bringing it to Liverpool. We are confident that our Sri Lankan Buddhist community will love this statue which is now situated in our shrine room.

We would not have been able to transport the statue from Sri Lanka without the support of many of our community. Amongst them, Ven. Galahitiye Sumana Thero of Sri Lanka Vidyalaya Maha Pirivena and Mr. Kapila Chandrasena (Chief Executive Officer) of Sri Lanka Airlines should be mentioned with gratitude. It was Ven. Galahitiye Sumana Thero who took time and effort to Sri Lankan Airlines officials and bring the statue to Bandaranayaka Airport. Having listened to Ven. Sumana thero, Mr Kapila Chandrasena very generously organised free cargo flight to the UK.

Both Jeremy Soertz, the country representative for Sri Lankan Airlines in the UK and Ireland, and Paul Connolly, Cargo Manager at the airline, gave their full support to the project. Once in the UK, Mrs. Ramya Wijewardana and her husband Mr. Darshana Mohandiram (Tropical International Com) helped us in the clearing process for the statue. To their credit, they provided their services free of charge, and the Liverpool Sri Lankan community is grateful.

The Board members of Sri Sambuddha Viharaya are grateful to Most Ven Keppetiyagoda Gunawansa Maha Thero, the chief incumbent of both Birmingham Jethawana Viharaya and Sri Sambuddha Viharaya in Liverpool for coordinating the whole process and introducing Jeremy Soertz and Kapila Chandrasena of Sri Lankan Airlines to our board members. Without our Nayaka Hamuduruwo, we would not have been able to bring this beautiful statue to our Temple within such a short period of time. Visitors and devotees are most welcome to our new temple.