The laying of terra cotta in the sand courtyard premises of the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree is an issue.

The Department of Archaeology has taken steps to initiate a scientific investigation into whether any adverse effects have been caused to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree due to the laying of terracotta bricks in the sandy courtyard premises of the historic Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. Director General of Archaeology, Dr. Senarath Wickramasinghe, stated that this comprehensive scientific assessment will be carried out with the assistance of experts from the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya.

It has been revealed that the terracotta paving on the sandy areas around both the upper and lower courtyards of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi was laid without the prior approval of the Department of Archaeology. For this reason, the Director General emphasized that if scientific observations conducted by a panel of experts from the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya, confirm that this terracotta paving is unsuitable for the survival of the Bodhi tree, all such paving will be immediately removed.

The official proposal for appointing this expert investigation panel has already been submitted to the Advisory Council of the Department of Archaeology. Meanwhile, a group of Sri Lankan researchers residing in Australia has expressed willingness to voluntarily contribute to conducting a scientific assessment of the impacts on the Sri Maha Bodhi premises from various dust particles as well as vehicle emissions, and they have also agreed to provide the necessary technical equipment for this purpose.

No formal scientific assessment has yet been conducted regarding the potential damage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi from vehicle emissions, and the Director General of Archaeology has already granted approval for this new research. Based on the scientific report to be submitted by the relevant research team, specific locations for performing religious rituals such as lighting lamps within the Bodhi premises will be determined in the future.