Warnings have been raised that a renovation project carried out around the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura — revered by Buddhists around the world and considered an important national heritage site of Sri Lanka — could negatively affect the life of the Bodhi tree. Sri Lanka Latest News
Experts say the situation has arisen due to the sand courtyard near the Sri Maha Bodhi being covered with terracotta tiles.
Senior Professor Rangika Halwatura of the University of Moratuwa first revealed the issue, and BBC Sinhala inquired further from the professor regarding the matter.
‘The Natural Environment Has Changed’
The professor had visited the Sri Maha Bodhi while on another official visit to the Ruwanwelisaya in Anuradhapura, where he observed the renovation work.
“As someone who works in the fields of climate change and sustainable development, I had seen the Ruwanwelisaya and the Sri Maha Bodhi about 20 years ago. Until recently, they had been preserved to a certain extent. There was a natural environment there, but suddenly it has undergone a major transformation.”
“When I went inside, there was a huge change. It was a change that was difficult to bear. I even went up to the upper courtyard, and the entire upper courtyard had been covered with terracotta. The lower courtyard beneath the terrace where the Sri Maha Bodhi stands has been completely covered with terracotta,” the senior professor said.
Technical Study and Report Prepared
Professor Rangika Halwatura also explained the matter to the chief monk and informed him of the engineering and technical issues associated with the renovation.
The professor told BBC Sinhala that on the same day, he conducted a study of the site and informed the Director General of Archaeology about the problems identified.
At the request of the Director General of Archaeology, he also prepared and submitted a report regarding the matter.
However, the professor stated that further investigations are required. Technical equipment needed for the study has been imported from the United States, and permission has been requested from the Department of Archaeology to conduct further tests. Once approval is granted, additional studies will be carried out.
‘That Means the Tree Could Die’
Senior Professor Rangika Halwatura also explained the possible damage that could be caused to the Sri Maha Bodhi by laying terracotta tiles over the sandy surface.
“What happens is that the heat coming from outside is prevented from entering the ground. As a result, the heat from above does not move downward. When the heat from above cannot move downward, the upper layer becomes hotter than usual. That creates a large reflection toward the tree. When there is sand, the radiation is directly absorbed naturally. But now radiation is also being reflected upward from below. The tree cannot tolerate that because it was not formed to withstand such conditions. Inevitably, the tree will have to move to its next stage — meaning the tree could die.”
The professor carried out a technical study and prepared a 12-page report containing five recommendations.
Reconsider the use of perforated terracotta tiles within the sacred courtyard areas nearby.
Conduct a comprehensive environmental and thermal assessment of the site.
Consider using permeable and thermally stable surface materials such as stabilized sand flooring or light-colored natural stone paving.
Maintain sufficient and open soil zones around the roots of the tree to support natural root-related processes.
Establish heritage-sensitive construction guidelines for any future activities around the sacred tree.
Renovation Carried Out Without Approval. The Sri Maha Bodhi is located within an archaeological site in Sri Lanka, and approval from the Department of Archaeology is mandatory for any renovation or restoration work carried out at such a location.
However, Director General of Archaeology Dr. Senarath Wickramasinghe told BBC Sinhala that permission had not been obtained from the Department of Archaeology for the renovation work carried out on the sandy courtyard of the Sri Maha Bodhi.
“Permission is required. There had been a pathway there with a concrete structure for wheelchair access for disabled visitors. Approval was granted to remove that and install these stones. But using that approval, the entire area was completed in this manner.”
Recommendations Requested From Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
The Director General of Archaeology further stated that a report had been received claiming that the renovation could harm the Bodhi tree, and recommendations had therefore been requested from the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, which oversees the care of the tree.
“A report came from one party saying it is harmful to the Bodhi tree. But we cannot act solely on one report. The full responsibility for the Sri Maha Bodhi lies with the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, where experts have been appointed. Arrangements have been made to obtain recommendations from those botanists regarding this matter.”
He further stated that if those recommendations indicate even minor harm to the Sri Maha Bodhi, steps will be taken to remove the relevant constructions.
The Sri Maha Bodhi, which belongs to the Atamasthana sacred sites, comes under the authority of Atamasthanadhipathi Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thero.
‘The Oldest Tree in the World With a Recorded History’
It is believed that on the Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day in 236 BC, during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa, Sanghamitta Theri brought the southern branch of the Sri Maha Bodhi from India to Sri Lanka.
The tree, planted in the Mahamewna Gardens in Anuradhapura, is recognized as “the oldest living tree in the world with a recorded history planted by humans.”
According to historical records, the tree is over 2,200 years old.
BBC Sinhala
