Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi
2026-02-18
The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs provided details regarding gold jewellery and items offered by devotees at the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya, totalling 3,201 grams. He confirmed that while the Basnayake Nilame had requested approval for unspecified action regarding these items, no approval had been granted. The items are currently secured under standard safeguarding procedures, split between Bank of Ceylon's Kataragama Branch (Safe No. 55) and the Dewalaya office safe, with no decisions taken to auction or otherwise dispose of them.
(a)
(i) The total gold weight of jewellery and other gold items offered by devotees is 3,201 grams. (These are items offered to the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya and items identified as gold when opening the offertory boxes and duly recorded.)
(ii) Yes. The Basnayake Nilame of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya has made such a request, but approval has not been granted to date.
(iii) No decision has been taken to auction the gold items yet. Under the standard safeguarding procedure, part of the items is deposited in Bank of Ceylon, Kataragama Branch, Safe No. 55, and the rest in the Dewalaya office safe.
(iv) No such decision has been taken to date.
(b) Not applicable.