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Standing tall at Paraliya, the Tsunami Honganji Buddha Statue is a powerful symbol of remembrance and resilience. Built to honor over 35,000 lives lost in the 2004 tsunami, this 30-meter (98-foot) replica of the ancient Bamiyan Buddha radiates peace and protection across Sri Lanka’s southern coast.
The Tsunami Honganji Viharaya, also known as the Tsunami Honganji Buddha Statue, was inaugurated on December 26, 2006, in Paraliya to commemorate the more than 35,000 Sri Lankans who perished in the devastating tsunami of December 26, 2004. Paraliya was among the worst-affected areas, particularly the area where the Samuda Devi (Ocean Queen) train was swept off its tracks by the powerful waves, causing the deaths of over 1,200 passengers in what remains the world’s deadliest railway disaster.
This statue is an exact replica of the 5th-century Bamiyan Buddha Statue, which stood 53 meters (175 feet) tall before being destroyed by religious extremists in Afghanistan in 2001. The replica was crafted using the earliest known sketches of the original and stands at an impressive height of approximately 30 meters (98 feet), making it one of the largest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. The statue depicts the Abhaya Mudra, a gesture symbolizing fearlessness, protection, and peace.
To replicate the texture and color of the original, a pulp-like material was applied over the cement structure. However, within a week of its unveiling, parts of this surface coating began to peel off at the base of the statue.
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Map of Tsunami Honganji Viharaya
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Travel Directions to Tsunami Honganji Viharaya
The site is located in Pareliya on the Colombo – Galle Road about 95 km away from Colombo.
| Route from Colombo to Tsunami Honganji Viharaya |
| Through : Panadura – Kalutara – Aluthgama – Ambalangoda – Paraliya Distance: 95 km Travel Time : 2.5 hours Driving directions : see on Google map |
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