Upalis the trustee caretaker of the historical Polonnaruwa Gal Viharaya for the last 30 years, considers it a duty bestowed by the devas. Upalis lives with his wife, Karlina and son Wimalasena who is very good at his studies. Teachers predict that Wimalasena will definitely make his way to the university. Upalis works as a part time farmer to make some extra money for his son’s education. It was at this time the dispute over the controversial Buddha statue which had come from England.

This happens despite Upalis complaint about the problems arising by keeping two statues side by side. What he says is that by keeping the two statues- original and the replica- people would not be able to identify which statue merits veneration and they would be seriously deluded.

This was also a time when a youth insurrection was paving its way against the existing political order. The youth want Wimalasena too to join them but he refuses. But in the midst of growing injustices suffered by his father the young man too gets drawn to the radical changes that are taking place around him.And the youth organization decides to destroy the replica and they do so.