About Us
BPISL, an acronym for Buddhist Places in Sri Lanka, represents my most successful ongoing project. It originated in December 2008, inspired by a visit to Lankathilaka Rajamaha Viharaya in Gampola. The project's mission is to introduce numerous Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka to individuals passionate about the country's Buddhist culture and arts, providing them with valuable information for exploration.
Lankathilaka Rajamaha Viharaya stands out as a unique ancient temple constructed by King Buwenekabahu the 4th in the 14th Century AD. My visit on December 22, 2008, revealed its remarkable setting atop a rock, surrounded by a distinctive eco-system. The awe-inspiring paintings, architectural designs, and crafts left me captivated, prompting a newfound curiosity about lesser-known Buddhist religious places in Sri Lanka. This curiosity led me to embark on a journey of collecting information and continuously visiting both ancient and modern Buddhist sites across Sri Lanka. Even during my GCE Ordinary Level Examination in 2009, immediately after the final subject on December 22, I rushed home to create a Facebook Page, "Buddhist Places In Sri Lanka," fueled by excitement and a sense of purpose. What started as a small-scale project has evolved into a large-scale initiative that primarily focuses on publishing information about Sri Lankan Buddhist temples, emphasizing the significance of images. With over 8000 images in our collection, our target audience is primarily foreigners, leveraging their interest in traveling and exploring historical sites. The project has garnered a substantial following, with more than 40,000 local and foreign enthusiasts. Distinct from typical social media experiences in Sri Lanka, our engagement with foreigners has been significant. While foreigners pose insightful questions about the historical and cultural aspects of the images, the local audience tends to offer generic comments like "Saadhu Saadhu Saadhu." The core objectives of the project include providing accurate and reliable data on Sri Lankan Buddhist places, promoting lesser-known sites, and contributing to the tourism industry. Notably, we have achieved the status of being the first Facebook page globally dedicated to Sri Lankan Buddhist religious sites. Although initially utilizing Facebook for its broad reach, we recognized the need for a more comprehensive platform. Our website now organizes content by provinces and districts, presenting not only images and descriptions but also Geo Locational maps, videos, nearby accommodations, museums, and coverage of Buddhist festivals and events. The user-friendly design ensures easy access to data, and our presence in the top 10 search engine results underscores our online visibility. Our network continues to grow, fostering a community of individuals passionate about exploring and preserving the rich Buddhist heritage of Sri Lanka. |
Regards,
Danula Randika Wickramaarachchi
[Founder & Content Manager : 2008 - Present]
E-Mail : [email protected]