Early Brahmi inscription left without any protection at ancient temple

Text and Pic by Nimal Dayaratne

Residents of Thihariya, Gampaha complain that a protective fence erected to help preserve early Brahmi and old Sinhala inscriptions at the Warana Raja Maha Vihara has been damaged but authorities have not taken any action to repair it

The rock inscription dates back to the first and second centuries BC. Residents complain that the railing of a shelter has rotted away.

Warana Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple, located approximately 5 km away from the Colombo – Kandy highway. It has been recognised as an archaeological protected site in the Gampaha District by the Archaeological Department. There is a Brahmi inscription, which means, “This is donated to Tissa Dhatta Thera, the brother of Majima Thera”, according to a sign board erected there by the Department of Archaeology.