On 2 July 2012 H.E. Mr. Poldej Worachat, Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka attended the opening ceremony of Siri Gautama Sambuddha Raja Maligawa, a new Buddhist temple complex at Mahamevnawa Meditation Centre in Polgahawela, which was built to symbolise the celebration of the auspicious occasion of the 2600 Sri Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi, or the celebration of the passage of 2600 years since the enlightenment of the Lord Buddha. H.E. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka, presided over the ceremony as the chief guest.

Other important guests included Most Venerable Wevaldeniya Medhalankara Mahanayaka Thero (Head of Sri Lanka Ramanya Maha Nikaya), H.E. Mr. Chamal Rajapaksa (Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka) and Ambassadors of several countries, namely USA, China, UK, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar and Japan. The event gained a high level of public interests and was broadcasted live. It was attended by more than 2,000 Sri Lankan Buddhists.