China Harbour hands over restored ‘national shrine’ to Catholic church

 A memento to mark the occasion was presented to CHEC Deputy General Manager Den Bo by Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo Dr. Maxwell Silva

CHEC Deputy General Manager Den Bo unveiling the plaque with Minister John Amarathunga and Bishop Maxwell Silva

CHEC Deputy General Manager Den Bo of addressing invitees, clergy and parishioners of the Bacilica

 Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo Dr. Maxwell Silva, Minister John Amarathunga,  CHEC Deputy General Manager Deng Bo, Episcopal Vicar Father Placidus de Silva, Father Victor Jayamanne, Parish Priest of the Basilica with CHEC engineers and Government officials in the foyer of the Basilica

The China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) who undertook the restoration of the roof and terraces of the ‘Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka’ completed the project and officially handed it over to the Catholic Church. The engineers and contractors of China Harbour worked with the architects of the building, local authorities and the parish priest to ensure that the work was carried out according to expected standards, completing the project in little over a year.

The handing over ceremony, which took place at the Basilica on Sunday, 12 June, was attended by Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo Right Rev. Dr. Maxwell Silva, Minister of Land Tourism and Christian Affairs John Amarathunga, Episcopal Vicar Father Placidus de Silva, CHEC Deputy General Manager Deng Bo and several other dignitaries from the Catholic Church, Government and the private sector.

Addressing the gathering, Deng Bo said he was thankful to Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and Minister John Amarathunga for providing them the opportunity to take on the restoration project. He said that as an organisation, China Harbour has always given priority to social responsibility. “We have worked to provide equal job opportunities, better healthcare services, education and foster culture and religion. Our understanding and respect for other cultures have led us to fund many aid projects in different parts of the world. Therefore it has been a privilege to the CHEC team to have carried out this work.”

Right Rev. Dr. Maxwell Silva thanking China Harbour for their support said that the restored Basilica for which China Harbour undertook the funding as well as the work was a gift by CHEC to Sri Lanka. “The Basilica was consecrated by Cardinal Thomas Cooray on 6 February 1974, as a fulfilment of a vow seeking protection from ‘Our Lady of Lanka’ against the enemy during the Second World War. Although extensive repairs were made in the years since it was first built in 1946, a few years ago cracks began appearing in the roof. I thank China Harbour Engineering Company for their support in helping to renovate this church. ” The Bishop also said that the occasion was made even more significant as the Hon. Minister, had handed over the formal gazette notice declaring the Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka a national shrine. On behalf of the Catholic Church and Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, he thanked the Ministry of Christian Affairs and all relevant authorities for making it a reality.