Sandahiru Seya Sthupa was constructed to honour and remember the members of the armed forces, police, and Civil Security Department who sacrificed their lives during Sri Lanka’s 30-year conflict. The project began following the end of the conflict in 2009 and involved significant contributions from the Sri Lanka Army and other technical personnel.
The foundation stone was laid by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 22, 2010. The construction was completed, and the stupa was inaugurated by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 18, 2021.
The stupa rises approximately 282 feet (86 metres) and is considered one of the largest stupas constructed in Sri Lanka in modern times (The 4th largest stupa in Sri Lanka). During its construction, sacred treasures, relics, and offerings collected from different parts of the country were ceremonially placed within the stupa. Several important religious ceremonies were held throughout the construction process, including the placement of sacred treasures.
Its location in Anuradhapura is especially significant because the city has been a centre of Sri Lankan Buddhist civilization for more than two thousand years and is home to some of the country's greatest ancient stupas.
The name Sandahiru Seya carries a symbolic meaning. The word Sanda refers to the moon, while Hiru refers to the sun. Together, the name evokes the idea of something enduring through time—an appropriate metaphor for a monument intended to preserve the memory of those who sacrificed their lives. The English translation "Victory Stupa" has also been used in official descriptions.
Although it is a modern monument, Sandahiru Seya follows the traditional form of the Sri Lankan Buddhist stupa. Its enormous scale and distinctive design allow it to stand alongside the ancient monuments of Anuradhapura while representing a much more recent chapter of Sri Lankan history.
Today, it serves as both a place of Buddhist worship and a monument of remembrance, linking religious devotion, national history, and the memory of those who made sacrifices during one of the most significant periods in modern Sri Lanka.
