Laying of foundation Ceremony of the BOI International Buddhist Center took place in Piliyandala recently.

Dhammika Perera, Chairman / Director General, BOI , Divisional Secretary, Secretary , Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, officials from UDA, RDA, State Engineering Corporation and the Foreign Ministry participated at the ceremony.

The BOI International Buddhist Center is a large-scale project to showcase Buddhism and its contribution to society in a single and dedicated location. This centre could become a magnet for Buddhists all around the world as well as those who have an interest in the philosophy of Buddhism. Under the Mahinda Chinthana, the Government has identified as one of its objectives "to make Sri Lanka a Global centre for the propagation of the teachings of the Lord Buddha". This is done in order to "enlighten the citizens of the world on the achievements of peaceful co-existence through the Dhamma".

The site for the project is at Kesbewa, Piliyandala, which is just 25 kilometers away from Colombo and 50 kilometers from the Bandaranaike International Airport. The land is close to the Bolgoda Lake, which is one of the largest bodies of fresh water in the Western Province.

There are a number of elements to the project. The first is the construction of a 291 foot high Stupa, with a diameter of 267feet. This will be a solid brick structure based on the design and proportions and a replica of the Maha Thupa of Ruwanweliseya.

The land adjoining the stupa will consist of 14 lots approximately in two acres, which are earmarked as sites for the International Buddhist Centres. The BOI is confident that Governments of Buddhist countries and religious organizations will invest in this centre. The BOI has in that connection already generated interest for the project at missions in China, Japan and Korea and to visiting delegations from Buddhist countries.