The Dr Roland Silva Mural Preservation and Research Centre’ was opened by Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Dambulla yesterday.

It was built near the ‘Rangiri Dambulu Raja Maha Viharaya’ as a tribute to Dr. Roland Silva, who was the Founder of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF).This is the first state-of-the-art mural preservation and information centre in Sri Lanka. Rs. 100 million of the CCF was utilised for the purpose.

The Centre will copy historical drawings of murals and scientifically preserve and protect them.

The Centre consists of lecture halls, auditorium, digital room, 2D and 3D facilities, residential facilities for researchers and facilities to repair damaged historical drawings.

Rangiri-Dambulu Vihara Chief Incumbent Ven. Udugama Mangala Nayaka Thera, Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon and State Minister Vidura Wickramanayake were present.