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by Premasara Epasinghe

Anunayaka Thera of the Malwatte Chapter of Siam Maha Nikaya, Ven. Ambanwelle Sri Pannasekera Maha Thera, marked his 78th birthday, yesterday.

I was very fortunate, I came to know this scholarly monk about five and half decades ago. I was initiated letters by this erudite learned one, at the Walukarama Temple, Colpetty. He inculcated within me, the vital background of Buddhist Culture.

Ambanwelle Pannasekera Thera was residing at that time, in our temple and was a brilliant student at the Vidyodaya Pirivena, the crest jewel of Education for the Buddhist monks.

I read "Namastasataka", "Buddhagajjaya", "Vadankavi Potha", under the feet of the venerable priest. Only brother of my father, D. R. Epasinghe, who served at the University College and the University of Ceylon, Colombo from (1922-1962), Ven. Mawittara Sri Revata Nayake Thera, the reputed scholarly monk was the chief incumbent of the temple. He was a tower of strength and inspiration to Ven. Pannasekera. My father, who was one of the Chief Dayakas of the temple, was very fond and very close to Ven. Pannasekera Thera, and the priest was a great influence on our family.

Ven. Pannasekera, after a brilliant academic career at the Vidyodaya Pirivena was invited by that great monk Weliwitiye Soratha Nayaka Thera, the founder Vice Chancellor of the Vidyodaya University (present University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Nugegoda) to be a lecturer at the Vidyodaya Pirivena in 1957.

The brilliant academic, Ven. Pannasekera is a born scholar. He won the prestigious and coveted "Siyam Raja Award" and was the recipient of many prizes and awards at the Vidyodaya Pirivena. As a priest of letters, he co-edited the "Prachina Bhasopakara Samagama Magazine."

After serving the Bhikkhu Education for about two decades, he joined the staff of Ananda College, Colombo, one of the great seats of Buddhist learning of Sri Lanka, 1973 and served the Tutorial staff till 1981.

The Venerable monk taught the students not only Buddhism but also very valuable morals and the Buddhist way of life. As a versatile gold mine of Buddha Dhamma, the priest moulded the character of young men. Today, there is a galaxy of students of this learned priest, who serves the country in various fields.

The most Venerable Sirimalwatte Ananda Maha Nayaka Thera of Malwatta Chapter, invited Ven. Pannasekera Nayake Thera in 1981, to be the Principal of the historical Sangharaja Pirivena in Kandy. After serving the Pirivena for few years, the Thera decided to relinquish his duties as the Principal. Then, Ven. Sirimalwatta Ananda Maha Nayake Thera, appointed Ven. Pannasekera Nayake Thera to the Karaka Sangha Sabha.

In 1999, after the most Venerable Pahamune Gunananda Anunayaka Thera's demise, the Karaka Sangha Sabha, unanimously appointed Ven. Ambanwelle Pannasekera Nayake Thera as the Anunayake of the Malwatte Chapter. Act of appointment to the High Position of Anunayake of the Malwatte Chapter of the Siam Maha Nikaya, at the historic Magul-Maduva in Kandy by the President of Sri Lanka, took place on 30th January 2002.

Most of our village names become popular and known, when those are linked with outstanding monks.

For example Totagamuwa with Sri Rahula, Balangoda - Ananda Maithriya, Kalukodayawa - Pannasekera, Yakkaduwa - Pragnarama, Weliwitiye - Soratha, Madhihe - Pannasiha, Mawithara - Sri Revata, Walpola - Dr. Rahbula. Likewise, Ambanwella is known today, because of Ambanwelle Pannasekera.

Ven. Pannasekera's religious and scholarly services were not at all limited to the village of his birth, Ambanwella. He has always shed the Light of Dhamma, to the whole country.

The most reverend Anu Nayake Thera was born on 27th December 1924 in a remote village in Kotmale, known as Ambanwella. The parents were Dhanapala Mudiyanselage Appuhamy and Idamegedera Punchi Menika. His name was Kuda Banda.

Ven. Udugama Ratnapala Thera, of Kotmale ordained Kuda Banda on 25th January 1940, and given the name in Sasana as Ambanwelle Pannasekera. He had his early Pirivena Education at Sudharmalankara Pirivena, Diyatalawa. Ven. Pannasekera received his Higher Ordination on 6th June, 1945.

I must record here, that I can still very well remember as a student, Most Venerable Pannasekera Nayake Thera wrote the Sinhala language in the most comely letters, I have so far known. His artistic hand-writing I will never forget.

Erudite pious scholar and great teacher Ven. Ambanwelle Pannasekera Anunayake Thera is reputed for his eloquent sermons. The sermon made by the Nayake Thera, on the occasion of my beloved father's three-months Bana sermon still echoes in our minds.

May the most Venerable Pannasekera Anu Nayaka Thera continue with the blessings of the Triple Gem, to function as a beacon of light, illuminating the path of the people of this country.

Most Venerable Sir, I go down on my knees and worship your honour. Chiran Jayatu!

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