Unveiling of the Pinnacle of Lumbini Viharaya, Kilinochchi

On 01 October 2012, I attended the ceremony to unveil the pinnacle (Kotha) of the newly constructed stupa at Lumbini Viharaya in Kilinochchi, held under the patronage of Hon. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was serving as the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development at the time. The event was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, senior military officers, government officials, and a large gathering of devotees and local residents.

The ceremony represented an important milestone in the restoration of religious and cultural heritage in Northern Sri Lanka following the end of the civil war. The unveiling of the stupa's pinnacle symbolized not only the revival of a Buddhist place of worship but also the country's broader efforts toward rebuilding communities, promoting reconciliation, and restoring normalcy in the region.

Attending this occasion provided me with a valuable opportunity to witness firsthand the post-war reconstruction taking place in Northern Sri Lanka, including the restoration of religious sites and the development initiatives aimed at rebuilding local communities. It remains a meaningful experience that deepened my understanding of Sri Lanka's recent history, post-conflict recovery, and the importance of preserving the nation's religious and cultural heritage.