S. P. Tao, chairman of Overseas Realty (Ceylon) PLC, owners and managers of the World Trade Centre and the Havelock City Project, is undertaking the construction of the Sama Vihara around the white-clad Buddha statue located in Havelock Town.
Upon completion, the 4500 sq. ft. floor area would comprise halls to conduct sermons and host almsgivings, dormitories for monks, meeting and individual rooms and spaces for worshiping and living, the company said. When Overseas Realty took over the 17 acre land parcel as a joint venture with the Bank of Ceylon to develop the Havelock City project, Mr. Tao, aged 95, ensured that sufficient land was donated to the Vihara.
The inward looking temple that is to be constructed would be a built-up element of the commercial forecourt of Havelock City. “It is cleverly designed to coexist with the commercial complex without any mutual infringement of each other’s functions. The exclusive outdoor area surrounding the Bo tree is also to be made for the use of the temple and its devotees,” the company said in a statement. |
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