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About 99 percent of the restoration work of the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic), Kandy, which suffered serious damage from the LTTE bomb blast on January 25, 1998 has been completed, the chief lay custodian of the Temple Niranjan Wijeratne said. At least 13 innocent civilians including two toddlers were killed injuring several others, when the LTTE drove a lorry packed with explosives through roadblocks and set off a huge truck bomb outside the holiest Buddhist shrine in the country. For the Sri Lankans, it is more than a place to worship. It is the jewel in the national crown and a symbol of sovereignty. Now three years later, the temple is celebrating its miraculous survival and has unlocked centuries-old treasures. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has already documented the new found treasures at the Temple of the Tooth Relic which is also regarded a world heritage by the United Nations. Meanwhile, a press release issued by the Presidential Secretariat said yesterday that the government has also taken every possible measure to ensure the safety and other needs of the temple. It rejected wholeheartedly false rumours by certain parties about the lack of security provided for the Sri Dalada Maligawa. Overall, the government has incurred Rs. 120 million for the renovation of the Sri Dalada Maligawa. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge established a special task force to review the monthly reconstruction work and to solicit the support of all government servants and establishments to this venture. The communiqué also said that the President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge extended her personal gratitude and thanks to all those who contributed their might when the Maligawa was targeted by the LTTE and to all those who contributed cash in millions for the reconstruction of the most sacred shrine of Sri Lanka.
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