President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday declared open the newly completed International Buddhist Cultural Center in Thummulla in parallel with the 2600th Sambudathva Jayanthi anniversary of Buddha's Enlightenment.

The President also renamed the road along which the 16-story Cultural Center is located as the Sambudathva Jayanthi Mawatha.

Theravada Buddhism which taught us to move forward as a nation on the path of kindness, tolerance, humanity, equality and harmony is the greatest gift we can bestow upon the world, President Rajapaksa said addressing at the opening ceremony.
President Rajapaksa laid the foundation for the Sri Sambuddathva Jayanthi International Buddhist Centre in February 2010. It was constructed by the Buddhist Cultural Center in Nedimala, Dehiwala at a cost of Rs. 3.3 billion.

The Center will house the world's largest collection of Buddhist publications and literature.

The complex with a 600-seat auditorium will function as a center to spread the Buddhist philosophy in the region and conduct dharma research activities.
It consists of an auditorium, libraries, language laboratories, training centers, counseling centers, book shops, and other facilities.