Swadeshi illuminates Devundara Sri Vishnu Devalaya, Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya

The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, the pioneer herbal personal care manufacturer illuminated the Devundara Sri Vishnu Devalaya and Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya as part of their ‘Swadeshi Khomba Aloka Puja Sathkaraya’ project.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Swadeshi Industries illuminated Devundara Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya and the 11th consecutive year with the illumination of Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya. Swadeshi Conducts Aloka Puja’s on the temple’s that are dedicated to the four guardian gods of Sri Lanka, God Vibheeshana – Kelaniya, God Kataragama – Kataragama, God Saman – Ratnapura and God Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu – Devundara.

At this holy juncture, Amari Wijewardene, Chairperson of Swadeshi Industries, said: “Being a Sri Lankan company, we consider it an honour and responsibility bestowed upon us to safeguard and uplift our country’s heritage, traditions and values. Swadeshi illuminates places of worship in the country for the benefit of all worshippers and also we want to educate the younger generation on the importance of preserving our values from generation to generation. The significance of this years’ illumination of Maha Saman Devalaya, Ratnapura is, this is the 11th consecutive year we lit the devalaya where the Sacred Tooth Relics of Lord Buddha was kept for 11 years from 1581 to 1592 BC.”

The Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Maha Devlaya was built by king Dhapulusena in 661 AD and was obliterated by the Portuguese when they invaded Ceylon in 1505 BC.   According to Buddhist literature, the Buddha had asked God ‘Shakra’ to protect Buddhism in Sri Lanka. God ‘Shakra’ entrusted this to the God Uthpalawarna meaning ‘Blue colour’ – the colour of God Vishnu. Today Devundara Devalaya dedicated to God Uthpalawarna is known as Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Deva Mandiraya.

Situated in the Ratnapura District, the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya was built in the 13th century in the reign of King Parakramabahu II. The existing structure was built in the reign of King Rajasinghe II in the 17th century. It was the repository for the Sacred Tooth Relic from 1581 to 1592.

The pioneer and market leader in the herbal personal care category in Sri Lanka, the Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, was incorporated in 1941. 

Among the pioneer brands of the 100 percent Sri Lankan owned company are Khomba Herbal, Rani Sandalwood, Khomba Baby, Safeplus, Apsara Venivel, Perlwite, Lak Bar, Lady and Black Eagle (Perfume) and the Swadeshi shower gel range. The company manufactures and markets top quality herbal soap brands Khomba Herbal and the heritage beauty soap brand Rani Sandalwood.