Lankem Robbialac paints Dalada Maligawa for Esala Perahera

• ‘Varna Pooja’ in its 11th consecutive year

Lankem Ceylon Director Ruwan T. Weerasinghe presents a commemorative plaque to Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela

Lankem Paints Ltd., manufacturers and marketers of Robbialac Paints has once again successfully completed its annual ‘Varna Pooja’ – the painting of the entire Dalada Maligawa complex in Kandy – ahead of this year’s Esala Perehera. 

What has now become one of the numerous rituals associated with the Temple of the Tooth; this annual ‘Varna Pooja’ by Lankem Paints is one of the key highlights in its annual calendar and is now in its 11th unbroken year.

“It is with utmost devotion filled with kindness that Lankem has undertaken this highly meritorious act to colour wash and paint all buildings and outer walls of the Sri Dalada Maligawa. May the blessings of the Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha be showered upon Lankem and its employees who contributed in numerous ways to undertake the meritorious deed,” said the Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter, Rajakeeya Panditha Most Venerable Mahopadyaya Galagama Dammadassi Sri Dhaammananda.

“This meritorious act by Lankem Robbialac for the 11th consecutive year is greatly appreciated. May you all be showered with the blessings of the Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha,” said the Deputy Prelate of the Malwathu Chapter, Prof. Sahithya Chakrawarthee Niyangoda Dharma Kirthi Sir Sangharakshitha Vijithasiri Maha Thera.

The first Randoli Perahera will parade the streets of Kandy on Tuesday 25 August. The Perahera culminates with the Final Randoli Perahera on Saturday 29 August Poya Day followed by the Dawal Perahera (Day Perahera) the following morning.

Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela also thanked Lankem Paints for its continued support in painting the Dalada Maligawa for the record 11th consecutive year, ahead of the Esala Perehera. “It is our firm belief that this charitable patronage may bring forth joy in the minds of all Buddhists,” he added.

Lankem Ceylon PLC Director Ruwan T. Weerasinghe said, “We began this Varna Pooja as the first individual organisation to undertake a project of this nature. The Dalada Maligawa is one of the most sacred and venerated symbols of Buddhist world. It is thus our deep honour and privilege to paint the entire complex for 11 years in a row ahead of the Esala Perahera.”

“In keeping with the great importance of this project, we have used a specially formulated, long-lasting elastomeric paint with special in-built cleaning properties and a specially blended unique shade of Orchid White for painting the complex. We are also happy to contribute to Sri Lanka’s rich culture and heritage through initiatives such as this. Lankem Robbialac is a fully home-grown Sri Lankan company and we thus do owe a deep debt of gratitude to the people of Sri Lanka.”

A pioneer in Sri Lanka’s paints industry, Lankem is today Sri Lanka’s largest 100% local coatings manufacturer and marketer. Lankem’s rich portfolio includes emulsion, enamel, weather coat, special effects paints, primers, ancillaries, wall preparation, floor coats, anti-corrosive, adhesives, wood care and auto coat, which cater to all needs of the Sri Lankan paints consumer.

In 2002 Lankem received the ISO 9000 certificate and became the first ISO 9000 certified paint company in the country. Similarly the Lankem paint factory at Ekala was the first paint manufacturing facility to receive SLS ISO 9001:2008 for Quality Management Systems.

It is also the one and only paint manufacturer as at date in Sri Lanka to be awarded with ISO 14001 for Environmental Management Systems, in addition to the SLS mark.