Myanmar’s generals unveil ‘world’s largest’ sitting Buddha statue

Visitors stand below the sitting Maravijaya Buddha marble statue in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. The Maravijaya Buddha statue is said to be the world’s highest sitting marble Buddha image according to local media (Aung Shine Oo/AP/PA)

The military-controlled government of strife-torn Myanmar on Friday showed off a new giant statue of a sitting Buddha that is scheduled to be consecrated on August 1.

Journalists were given a preview of the 228-acre site in the capital, Naypyitaw, which includes small pagodas, ordination halls, rest houses, water fountains, lakes and a park.