Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday inaugurated a sandstone-made Buddha statue on the Visak Bochea's Day, or Buddha's Day.

The cross-legged sitting Buddha statue, with the width of 6.1 meters and the height of 9.9 meters, was built at Preah Mohosot Sovankiri Boeung Deng pagoda in Stung Trang district in eastern Kampong Cham province.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Hun Sen said the statue cost 600,000 US dollars, which was donated by generous people inside and outside the country.

"This event is held on the Visak Bochea's Day," the premier said. "This shows the progress in Buddhism and reflects the government's high attention to maintaining and developing Buddhism. "

Visak Bochea's Day marked the anniversary of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, said a media statement from the National Committee for Organizing National and International Festivals.

It is a public holiday in this Buddhist-dominant country, where about 90 percent of the 14.5 million population are Buddhists.

At a separate event, thousands of Buddhist monks and Buddhists marched around Preah Reach Trap Mountain in Kandal province, where the relics of Buddha are housed, in order to celebrate the Day.

At the event, lay people prayed to the Lord Buddha by lighting candles, incense sticks and laying flowers before the Lord Buddha's statues and relics. In addition, they donated foods and money to participating Buddhist monks with the dedication to their deceased relatives.