The Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya has decided to auction approximately 70 percent of the gold items currently stored in its secure vaults and donate the proceeds to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, Basnayake Nilame Thilina Madushanka said.
He stated that gold items bearing images of deities will be excluded from the auction, which will be carried out under the supervision of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority.
Madushanka further explained that only gold offerings made by devotees in recent years will be handed over to the government through a transparent process. He added that guidance has been obtained from the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs in this regard.
Rejecting circulating reports, the Basnayake Nilame dismissed claims that ancient gold dating back 2,000 years would be used for the auction, describing such allegations as false and misleading.
