Swadeshi Khomba enlightens Aloka Pooja of Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya for the 12th consecutive year

The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, Sri Lanka’s pioneer herbal-based personal care products company sponsored the “Aloka Poojawa” of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya for the 12th successive year through the company’s flagship brand Khomba, the first herbal soap manufactured in Sri-Lanka. The Aloka Pooja was held from the 16th to the 19th January 2011.

Lord Buddha visited the Kelaniya temple with five hundred other enlightened monks on the third visit to Sri Lanka by an invitation from King Maniakkitha who was the King of the snake tribe. During his visit, the Lord Buddha preached to King Maniakkitha and his followers. The King constructed the Stupa of the Kelaniya Temple on that very place.

With the invasion by the Portuguese and the Dutch the Kelaniya Temple was destroyed and lay in a deteriorating state. During the reign of King Keerthi Sri Rajasingha who ruled the Kandian Empire, Ven. Valivita Sri Saranagkara Sangaraja Thero requested and guided the King to renovate the temple.  

The golden era of the Kelaniya Temple began with Helena Wijewardene Lamatheni who regularly worshiped at the temple. At that time the temple was in a decaying state. She started the renovations of the Vihara Mandiraya and laid marble for the floors of the temple. In 1927 Helena Wijewardene Lamatheni started the work of the new Vihara Mandiraya by laying the foundation stone.

As part of its annual CSR programme, Swadeshi supports the Aloka Poojas of all the temples that honour the four guardian Gods of Sri Lanka, Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya - God Vibishana, Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya - God Kataragama, Saman Devalaya Ratnapura - God Saman and Devundara Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya - God Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu.

“We are honoured to have supported this event for over a decade, being a truly Sri Lankan brand, we will continue to be a part of this blessed path, which I believe would also bring righteous blessings to the whole of Sri Lanka”, commented Mrs. Amari Wijewardene, Managing Director and Chairperson of The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC who is also the great granddaughter of Helena Wijewardene Lamatheni.

The company also supports the annual Aloka Poojawa of the Dambadeniya Raja Maha Viharaya encouraging traditional and religious practice.

The pioneer and market leader in herbal personal care products in Sri Lanka, The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, was incorporated in 1941. The company manufactures and markets many leading brands including the top herbal soap brand Khomba Herbal and the heritage beauty soap brand Rani Sandalwood.