Swadeshi Khomba illuminates ‘Aluthnuwara Sri Dadimunda Maha Devalaya’

Swadeshi Chairperson Amari Wijewardene, Basnayake Nilame of Aluthnuwara, Sri Maha Dedimunda Dewalaya/Mahanuwara, Sri Maha Vishnu Dewalaya Mahindra Rathwatte and officials from Swadeshi

Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, the market leader in Sri Lanka for herbal personal care products, has sponsored the ‘Aloka Poojawa’ of the historic ‘Aluthnuwara Sri Dadimunda Maha Devalaya’ recently under the theme: ‘Swadeshi Khomba Aloka Puja Sathkaraya’; a concept of Swadeshi Chairperson Amari Wijewardene.

Situated in the Kegalle district, the Aluthnuwara Sri Dadimunda Maha Devalaya was built during the Dambadeniya period. It is believed that when King Parakramabahu II was passing through Aluthnuwara on his way to Sri Pada, he was very impressed with the place and decided to donate the property to the temple. Buildings were added on to the devalaya during the reign of King Panditha Parakramabahu IV. The place was known as Nawatilakapuraya and later it became Aluthnuwara. ‘Dedimunda Deiyo’ is the guardian deity of the Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka. 

Swadeshi Chairperson Amari Wijewardene said that, Swadeshi being a Sri Lankan owned company, considers safeguarding the culture and traditional heritage of Sri Lanka by supporting such activities as this annual Aloka Pooja, a duty and also a debt the company owes towards mother Lanka.

She further observed, Swadeshi illuminates places of worship in the country for the benefit and ease of all worshippers and also with the intention of educating younger generations on the importance of safeguarding the country’s culture and heritage.

In 2013 the Sri Dalada Maligawa of historic Dambadeni Raja Maha Viharaya and the ancient murals were renovated by Swadeshi Chairperson Amari Wijewardene to bring back its past glory.

Amari Wijewardene is the great granddaughter of Helena Wijewardene Lamatheni, who initiated renovations of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya in 1927.

Swadeshi also supports the Aloka Poojas of Kataragama Kiri Wehera, Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, Sabaragamu Maha Saman Devalaya, Devundara Sri Vishnu Devalaya, Redigama Ridi Viharaya, Lankathilaka Raja Maha Viharaya, Dambadeniya Raja Maha Viharaya and Keragala Raja Maha Viharaya.

As a local company Swadeshi continues its nation building and community CSR projects for our Sri Lankan communities. The Swadeshi Khomba brand is dedicated to carrying out sustainability projects which focus on caring for Mother Nature and enhancing cultural values. The company’s many community outreach initiatives include hand washing sinks for temples during the COVID-19 pandemic situation, Kohomba tree planting campaigns, donating water tanks for the communities in dry zone of Sri Lanka, Khomba Baby care gifts to pregnant mothers and educating school children through a ‘Hoda Purudu’ book highlighting the good values.