The newly-constructed ‘Golden Gate’ entrance staircase, leading through the Menik Ganga to the sacred Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, was declared open last Sunday (21) by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The construction of the new entrance through the Menik Ganga had commenced on 16 February 2023. The project had included the construction of two staircases adorned with decorative guard walls, designed to facilitate pilgrims participating in the Kataragama Pada Yatra.

Spanning an impressive width of 56 feet and extending 300 feet in length, it represents a significant addition to the infrastructure surrounding the sacred devalaya.

The project had been carried out by 35 skilled airmen from the Civil Engineering Wing at the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Base Katunayake, led by Project Officer Squadron Leader Imithra Herath and supervised by Director General – Construction Engineering Air Vice Marshal Chandana Geethapriya.

The Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya had provided the financial assistance for the construction.