Badde Liyanage Don Felix at work on his replicas
A Catholic is doing his bit to smooth over longstanding divisions between religions and ethnic groups of Sri Lanka. Badde Liyanage Don Felix, has unveiled 15 replicas of ancient dagabas (temples) on the road in front of his house.
They are designed a show of respect to Buddhists as they mark the 2600th anniversary of the Lord Buddha's enlightenment and make effort for inter religious harmony.
“Extremism has always been successful in driving wedge between the two communities. So, these handmade replicas are my effort to bring unity with other religions,” said Felix, 52, a mill owner, in Marawila, in the coastal diocese of Chilaw.
Thousands of people, including pilgrims, have spent time browsing the replicas of temples and palaces including Ruwanwelisaya, a well-known 91-meters temple in Anuradhapura city which dates back to 140 BC.
“I want all people in this country to be united and live and work in racial and religious harmony," Felix said. "These anniversary celebrations should remind all to get back to the core religious values and live accordingly.”
Veragoda Saddananda thero, 48, a Buddhist monk from Neegrodaramaya temple in Nattandiya village, near Marawila, said the gesture timely.
"We wholeheartedly welcome his initiative. People in Sri Lanka should not be divided because of their religious beliefs,” said the Buddhist monk.
Related reports
New peace initiatives requested