June 20, Kotmale: President Maithripala Sirisena today declared open the Mahaweli Maha Seya of Kotmale to public pilgrimages from today. The opening of the Maha Seya was held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The President offered first floral tributes to the Stupa and opened it for the public. He also presented awards to those who contributed to the creation of Mahaweli Maha Seya.

The 289-feet tall Stupa with a diameter of 628 feet and overlooking the Kotmale Reservoir was constructed under the Mahaweli scheme, the largest development project in Sri Lanka. The foundation stone to the Stupa was laid by former President J.R. Jayawardena on the 20th March 1983. The construction work was carried out by former minister Late Gamini Dissanayake.

Late Gamini Dissanayake's sons, Chairman of the Cultural foundation of Mahaweli, Minister of Plantation Industries Navin Dissanayake, and MP Mayantha Dissanayake also attended the event.