President Mahinda Rajapaksa today (30) gifted and dedicated to the Maha Sanga, the ' Sri Lanka Maha Viharaya' in Lumbini, Nepal, built for the benefit of Buddhist devotees.

The construction work was carried out by the Sri Lanka Lumbini Development Trust Fund initiated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The first phase of this temple was built at a cost of Rs.74 million. Another 195 million has been allocated for the second phase.

Under the first phase a Library, a Museum, a resting place, a Monastery has been completed.

President Rajapaksa gifted one and half million to Sri Lanka Lumbini Development Trust Fund for the future development programmes of the Sri Lanka Maha Viharaya.