It is one of the most wonderful creations in the world, in certain aspects even surpassing the pyramids in Egypt. Yet, the government does not seem to have paid sufficient attention to restore its religious, architectural and engineering grandeur during these trying times.
The Central Cultural Fund (CCF) which coordinates and conducts the conservation of ancient sites has plunged into a severe financial crisis as a result of the drop in tourist arrivals. Tourism is the major income source for the Fund to perform its duties throughout the country. But, the industry drew a setback against the backdrop of the tsunami and the escalation of violence during the last few years. Amidst growing financial constraints, the local authorities have limited water supply to the site hindering the ongoing conservation efforts. Similarly, the project is also in dire straits, given the curtailment of fuel supply. Now, CCF officials in Anuradhapura have to depend solely on the meager resources available to them.
By Kelum Bandara
Little drops of water make a mighty ocean. The small contribution of a brick could eventually help make a large edifice, the principle followed by ancient kings in building huge dagobas and vast reservoirs, proudly displaying the grandeur of a morally self-sufficient nation.
In the past, people were eager to donate labour, especially for a religious cause led by the kings. Historians believe that great stupas such as Ruwanweliseya, Jethawanaramaya and Abhayagiriya have all been built with great public participation, seeking spiritual happiness of Nirvana at the end of Sansara.
This glorious history based on the collective responsibility of society, is being now recreated by people in their voluntary participation to carry out conservation work at ancient 'Abhayagiriya Dagoba' in Anuradhapura.
According to the Central Cultural Fund (CCF), the original construction of the Stupa of Abhayagiri Vihara belongs to the 2nd century BC and was enlarged in the 2nd century AD. Being 300 feet in height, it was considered the second tallest brick-built monument of the time. The monastery of Abhaygiri is well known as the institution which encouraged heterodox teachings leading to the dissemination of Mahayanism in Sri Lanka. Fa-hsien, the traveller Chinese monk of the 5th Century lived here for two years. There had been over 5000 monks living at Abhayagiri Viharaya as against the 3000 monks at the Mahaviharaya.
The dagoba was in ruins due to invasions at certain periods of history. Now, it is being conserved by the CCF using the proceeds from tourism as the main source.
The Central Cultural Fund (CCF) which coordinates and conducts the conservation of ancient sites has plunged into a severe financial crisis as a result of the drop in tourist arrivals. Tourism is the major income source for the Fund to perform its duties throughout the country. But, the industry drew a setback against the backdrop of the tsunami and the escalation of violence during the last few years. During this trying times, the Fund requested voluntary labour from people through media advertisements to continue the conservation of ancient monuments as there was no other option left.
The public response was overwhelming. People began to flock to the ancient archaeological site from different parts of the country. The compound of the dagoba, paved with stones cut into the shape of bricks, became a buzz with volunteer labourers - males, females, children, youth and adults alike - who lined up on the scaffoldings - passing bricks and cement mixture to the upper section of the 'Chaittya'.
The sky was dotted with tufts of white clouds. Yet, rays of the scorching sun were beating on the workers. People's faces glistened with sweat, but there was team spirit kindled by religious devotion to conserve the 'dagoba' for future generations.
A middle-aged woman, J.A. Ranmenike was among the well over 2000 volunteers who came for the conservation work recently along with a group of fifty others representing 'Vishaka Women's Organization of Eppawala.
Wearing a cap to protect her from the merciless sun, Ranmenike was at the bottom of the scaffolding, passing buckets of cement mixture from hand to hand, a scene speaking volumes about the value of teamwork in fulfilling a gigantic task. In a trice, she wiped off her sweat from her forehead, and shared her sentiments with the Daily Mirror.
"I am extremely happy to make a contribution to this meritorious task. We, as adults, should conserve our national heritage for posterity," she said.
A few yards away, there was another scaffolding used to send up bricks to be laid at the pinnacle. Bricks were piled up around the dagoba; labourers with their dusty brown clothes were actively engaged in work, braving the terrible heat. At the entrance to the dagoba, a loudspeaker blares requesting for financial donations from people while thanking those who had already volunteered to conserve the site. Donations are made mostly by purchasing a ticket valued at Rs. 20 to Rs. 50 or even more. With the influx of labour donors, officials in charge of the Abhayagiriya project were grappling with yet another problem- the lack of physical resources to coordinate volunteers for a fruitful service. Amidst growing financial constraints, the local authorities have limited water supply to the site hindering the ongoing conservation efforts. Similarly, the project is also in dire straits, given the curtailment of fuel supply. Now, CCF officials in Anuradhapura have to depend solely on the meager resources available to them.
Hundreds of people have volunteered to work, but there is no adequate logistic support for them. So they are disappointed, and even turn abusive against officials for not creating the ground situation to make their labour contributions satisfactorily.
The Daily Mirror spoke to a team of youth who had come all the way from Horana to Anuradhapura for the historic mission. But their yearning for the meritorious gains did not last because officials did not provide adequate logistics to fulfill their undertaking. They were even disappointed because there were no officials to guide them in the conservation efforts.
"After seeing media advertisements, we came here to work voluntarily. But, there is no sufficient water for the mixture of soil and sand used for laying bricks. So, we are compelled to go back," they said woefully. These were only a few among the many others disillusioned due to the poor coordination of work. For this lapse, the finger is pointed at officials overlooking the project. Angry crowds sometimes mob them to be followed by heated arguments within a few seconds. Officials admit that the complaints are genuine. The project overseers are helpless as necessary facilities are curtailed everyday by higher government authorities. In this context, they request people not to come for voluntary work without prior information. An official who insisted on anonymity said even a pay cut had been imposed on them by the CCF.
"We have only one vehicle to be used when a worker meets with an accident. For that too, diesel has been limited. Now, the water supply has also been limited. So, people are sometimes compelled to hang around without water and other essential facilities," he said. The transportation of bricks too has been hampered due to the lack of vehicles like tractors.
During the weekend, 1500 to 2000 persons come for the conservation mission. If the system is properly managed and coordinated, the project could be completed within two years, as pointed out by the people.
The official noted that the CCF had not even paid overtime payment for permanent employees engaged in conservation and excavation work in the project for months.
"They are working without overtime payment since last year. With the deduction of all these facilities, how can we tackle the problem?" he asked.
All these problems are a result of the financial crisis that the CCF is under at in present circumstances.
The Abhayagiri Dagaba is one of the most sacred objects of Buddhist veneration. The term "Abhayagiri Viharaya" means not only a complex of monastic buildings, but it is also a fraternity of Buddhist monks, or Sanga which maintains its own historical records, traditions and way of life.
It is one of the most wonderful creations in the world, in certain aspects even surpassing the pyramids in Egypt. Yet, the government does not seem to have paid sufficient attention to restore its religious, architectural and engineering grandeur during these trying times.
Today, Buddhists celebrate Poson Poya with religious observations at temples throughout the country. Thousands of devotees are expected to visit the Atamasthana in Anuradhapura today for religious activities with prominence being given to Dana, Seela and Bhavana.
Undoubtedly, they will be happy to see the progress of Abhayagiriya, which is another place of veneration under the Atamasthana - being restored to its original grandeur by volunteers who toiled for the sacred mission. But the responsibility lies squarely on the government to ensure the completion of the operation.
(http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/06/30/feat/1.asp)
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