Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi was also present at the occasion.
The Buddha statue was built under the patronage of the Director of Hwa Pure Land Teachings Propagation Foundation in China Venerable Wu Dao Thero. The 40 foot gold plated statue is built on a five storied structure and is considered as the largest statue of its kind in Sri Lanka.
State Minister Wijewardene and Secretary Hettiarachchi also received replicas of the statue to mark the occasion.
Venerable Maha Sanga, ministers, distinguished invitees and a large number of devotees were present.
