Swadeshi Khomba illuminates ‘Yapauwa Raja Maha Viharaya’

Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, the market leader in Sri Lanka for herbal personal care products, has sponsored the ‘Aloka Poojawa’ of the historic Yapauwa Raja Maha Viharaya for the Poson full moon Poya day. The illumination is done under the theme; ‘Swadeshi Khomba Aloka Puja Sathkaraya’.

Yapauwa was the fourth kingdom in Sri Lanka which was built in the reign of King Buwanekabahu I in the 13th century. The Sacred Tooth Relic was kept there for 12 years. The Yapauwa Raja Maha Viharaya was built during the period of the Kandyan kingdom. 

Swadeshi Chairperson/Managing Director Amari Wijewardene said Swadeshi being a Sri Lankan owned company, considers safeguarding the culture and traditional heritage of Sri Lanka by supporting such activities as this annual Aloka Pooja, a duty and also a debt the company owes towards mother Lanka.

She further observed, Swadeshi illuminates places of worship in the country for the benefit and ease of all worshippers and also with the intention of educating the younger generation on the importance of safeguarding the country’s culture and heritage.

In 2013 the ‘Sri Dalada Maligawa’ of historic Dambadeni Raja Maha Viharaya, where the sacred tooth relic was kept, had the ancient murals renovated by Amari Wijewardene to bring back its past glory.

Wijewardene is the great granddaughter of Helena Wijewardene Lamatheni, who initiated renovations of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya in 1927. 

Swadeshi also supports the Aloka Poojas of Kataragama Kiri Wehera, Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, Sabaragamu Maha Saman Devalaya, Devundara Sri Vishnu Devalaya, Redigama Ridi Viharaya and Dambadeniya Raja Maha Viharaya.