The revenue of the Rangiri Dambulla Raja Maha Viharaya earned through the issue of tickets to tourists from 1996 to 2016 was estimated to be between Rs.7,300 million and Rs.10,095 million and it was not credited to either the Central Cultural Fund or to the Archeological Department, Power and Renewable Energy Deputy Minister Ajith P.Perera said. He was speaking at a media briefing at the UNP’s Sirikotha Headquarters yesterday.
Referring to the complaint made by the Rangiri Dambulla Raja Maha Viharaya Chief Incumbent Ven. Godagama Sri Mangala Thera to Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, the Deputy Minister said the estimated daily revenue of the Raja Maha Viharaya had been between Rs.1,000,000 and Rs.1,500,000 which had not been credited even to the Dambulla Raja Maha Viharaya Development Fund.
The Deputy Minister further said that a written complaint was made by Ven.Sri Mangala Thera requesting the Education Minister to investigate into the financial irregularity.