A multi-faceted investigation is being carried out into the much-discussed incident of covering the historic “Avukana” Buddha statue with a saffron robe, according to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs.

Photographs of the Avukana Buddha statue covered with a saffron robe are currently being circulated on social media platforms including Facebook, and the same has led to great controversy.

Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayaka has called for a systematic probe into the incident.

Speaking to The Daily Morning on the matter yesterday (27), Wickramanayaka said that the ministry had instructed Department of Archeology Director General (Acting) Nishanthi Ranasinghe to conduct a complete and formal investigation into the incident. “People should understand that they cannot make changes to antiquities as they wish. If action is not taken regarding these kinds of incidents today, someone will come and paint these historic statues tomorrow.” 

When contacted by The Daily Morning, Ranasinghe said that the relevant officials of the department at the site had recorded statements from the relevant Buddhist monk and that she was expecting to receive a report by yesterday. In addition, she said that the department aims to lodge a complaint with the relevant police station as the covering of the statue had violated the Antiquities (Amendment) Act, No. 24 of 1998.

The Avukana statue, with a height of more than 14 metres (46 feet), is located in the village of Avukana near Kekirawa. It is considered to be one of the examples of a standing statue of the Buddha from ancient Sri Lanka and depicts the Buddha with a hand raised. The statue is now a popular tourist attraction.