Wellawatta weaving mill as a major provider of employment since the times of colonial masters was an income generating venture to the country which also simultaneously remained the central hub for trade union struggles as the time. With the entry of the open economy in the 1970s, many local industries were compelled to close down and the Wellawatta weaving mill too met with the same doom. The whol
e complex with about 20 acres in extent became deserted, its raw materials were sold and it was virtually reduced to a non-man zone. However the tranquil Samadhi Buddha Statue, erected by the mill’s Buddhist association remained intact without being exposed to any type of harm whatsoever. The subtle process of dismantling structures and removing the huge statue set in afterwards with the objective of disposing the entire land for commercial purposes. Attempts for the removal of the statue, largely venerated by the civilians of the area, however, evoked a huge public protest, supported by the members of the Maha Sangha in the vicinity. It resulted in the birth of tiny Sama Vihara with the small monastery by the side of the Budhha Statue. It is believed that the miraculous unseen might of the Buddha Statue itself overcame all barriers and challenges faced by this place of religious importance. All the passers-by along the main road facing the statue, never failed to pay respect to the statue, a common sight throughout the day. In addition, hundreds of Hindus attending the nearby Hindu Kovil as well as devotees of other faiths, bowed to this sacred object in veneration. School students were among the most visible segment paying such respect to this statue on a daily basis. Foreseeing the future of this congested tiny monastery with minimum facilities in the abandoned mill complex, Mr Yasasiri Kasturiarachchi, former Basnayake NIlame at Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devala, offered his support to further develop the place. During towards the end of the year 1994, Buddhist came forward to undertake an initiative in view of its sanctity and sacred nature with the blessings of Venerable Professor Bellanwila Wimalarathana Anunayaka Thero. Since then one of the student monks, Ven. Dharmacharya Rammala Dhammarakkitha Thero as the resident monk had been providing religious services to the people in the area, amidst a barrage of social and other challenges and numerous difficulties deserves appreciation. Later, Mr. Tao's entry as a foreign investor through Mireka Capital Company Ltd, chaired by him, for redevelopment and conservation of the Mill complex via the company's 'Havelock city ' condominium, was blessing in disguise. Remember with gratitude, Mrs. Sumi Munasinghe, the former chairperson at Bank of Ceylon who introduced Mr. Tao to Sama Vihara. He decided to sponsor the project and with his family members found the time to visit Bellanwila, and pledged to build the Wellawatta Sama Viharaya at his own expenses as a symbolic tribute to the Bellanwila temple. The new temple complex was constructed under a modern plan with the financial assistance provided by Mr. Tao. The statue was constructed on the instructions of the Chancellor of the Sri Jayawardenapura University Venerable Professor Bellanvila Wimalarathana Anu Nayake Thero and under the direction of chief Incumbent of Sama Vihara Ven. Atapattukande Ananda Thero. A host of investors from many corners of the world come to Sri Lanka for numerous business projects, but we are yet to hear of another business magnate putting up such monasteries for fostering Buddha sasana, which it self is a phenomenon that goes into history. As a reputed and well experienced business magnate in the South Asian region, Mr. Tao has a broad understanding of religious needs and the Buddha Lasagna in Sri Lanka. This project and, therefore, will remain a mile stone in Mr. Tao's successful life, now in an advanced stage
