Foundation stone laid for stupa at the Birmingham Buddhist Temple

Sri Lanka High Commissioner in the United Kingdom Saroja Sirisena visiting Ven. Kappitiyagoda Gunawansa Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Jethavana Buddhist Vihara, Birmingham

The Chief Incumbent of Birmingham temple with representatives of the  Sri Lankan High Commissioner’s office in the United Kingdom

The foundation stone for a stupa at the Birmingham Buddhist Maha Viharaya was laid on July 5  by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Saroja Sirisena together with the diplomatic officers of her office in London.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Incumbent of the Birmingham Buddhist Maha Vihara and the President of the Midlands International Buddhist Association in the UK, Ven. Dr. Witharandeniye Kassapa Thera – O.B.E. appreciated the High Commission’s participation.  The stupa is said to become the largest in Europe.
The High Commissioner extended sincere thanks to Ven. Dr. Witharandeniye Kassapa Thero for the invitation to participate in the meritorious event; a rare opportunity that an individual gets during his or her lifetime.   She also appreciated the contribution by the monk for the advancement of Buddha Sasana and towards other religious dialogue and harmony in the Midlands region.
The punyanumodana was delivered by Ven. Dr. Kamburawala Rewatha Thera, Chief Incumbent of Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara. 
The High Commissioner also met with the business community of Brimingham on the sidelines of the ceremony to encourage entrepreneurship among expatriate Sri Lankans.
Later in the day, the High Commissioner and the officers of the High Commission paid a visit to Ven. Kappitiyagoda Gunawansa Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Jethavana Buddhist Vihara, Birmingham.
(Press release by the High Commission of Sri Lanka, London)