Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka (Tewatte, Ragama)
In Tewatte, along with Ragama, the national basilica of Our Lady of Lanka, born of a vote, is raised: on May 26, 1940, before the Grotto of Lourdes of the place, the Archbishop of Colombo Jean- Marie Masson promised to raise a votive temple to Mary if Ceylon was preserved from the horrors of World War II. The island was almost free, and the basilica was consecrated on 6 February 1974.
🌹 Wonders and anecdotes
- It all started with Lourdes: in 1911 Fr. A. Kieger raised in Tewatte a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, and in 1917 Fr. A. Collorec added a grotto in his honor, germ of the future national sanctuary.
- On May 26, 1940, kneeling at that grotto, Archbishop Masson made his vote. On Easter Sunday 1942, Japanese aviation attacked Colombo, but the island was practically safe from war, and the Church of Ceylon recognized the protection of its Mother.
- Pius XII approved in 1946 the construction of the vautive basilica and in 1948 declared Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lanka, the main patron of the island; the first stone was placed in 1950 and Archbishop Thomas Cooray carried out the vote of his predecessor.
- Paul VI gave him the title of a minor basilica in 1973 and the temple was consecrated on February 6, 1974, with the coronation of the image of Our Lady of Lanka; his annual feast is held on February 4, the same day of Sri Lanka's independence, and there rests Cardinal Cooray.
Our Lady of Lanka
The Basilica of Tewatte is a fulfilled vote: promised to Mary in 1940 to keep Ceylon from war, and consecrated in 1974 after the protection received. From a humble chapel of Lourdes of 1911 was born the national sanctuary of Our Lady of Lanka.
"Our Lady of Lanka, who you kept your island under your mantle, protects Sri Lanka and its people.
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