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| Thursday, 17 April 2003 |
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Colombo East group correspondent A felicitation ceremony to mark the 94th birthday of Ven. Akuretiye Amarawansa, Chief Sangha Nayaka of Southern Province and Principal of Vidyodaya Pirivena, Maligakanda was held recently at the J.R. Jayewardene Centre, Colombo. It was presided over by Ven. Velamitiyave Kusaladhamma, Chief Sangha Nayaka of Chilaw and Colombo Districts and Principal, Vidyalankara Pirivena, Kelaniya and Chancellor of Kelaniya University. The felicitation volume titled the biography of the prelate written by Ranjith Amarakeerthi Palihapitiya, Chairman, National Book Development Board was launched and distributed free to all the monks and lay persons present. The auditorium was full to capacity and some people were seen standing. There were over 300 Buddhist monks. The author, Ranjith Amarakeerthi Palihapitiya introducing his biography of the Nayaka Thera said that he had known him since his childhood as he also came from the same village, Ven. Akuretiye Amarawansa hails from and that his parents and grand parents were Dayakayas of his temple in the village. The Nayaka Thera rarely failed to participate in important functions of the village. On the other hand, the prelate never liked to have functions on events related to his life. Although he had won many awards and distinctions, he never held any function to mark them. But he, the speaker was able to persuade the Nayaka Thera to be present at the felicitation. Minister of Human Resources Development, Education and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku who was chief guest spoke of the contributions made by the Vidyodaya Pirivena to the progress of religion, education and culture of the country. He referred to the eminent scholars like Ven. Hikkaduwe Sumangala, Kahawe Ratanasara, Baddegama Piyaratana, Welivitiye Sorata, Palannoruve Wimaladharama who were all Heads of the Vidyodaya Pirivena. The educational tradition of the Vidyodaya Pirivena was continued by the Vidyodaya University which later became Jayawardenapura University. He himself was Vice Chancellor of Jayawardenapura University for sometime and did his best to maintain the sound tradition inherited from the Vidyodaya Pirivena. Next to the founder of Vidyodaya Pirivena, Ven. Hikkaduwe Sumangala Nayaka Thera who was its Principal for about 30 years, Ven. Akuretiye Amarawansa Nayaka Thera had served the longest period in that capacity. At the time he took over the Principalship it had declined and the student population had decreased to 13. But by sheer application and dedication he had lifted the Pirivena to great heights. Now it has many students. Dr. Sarath Amunugama, MP, traced the history of the Vidyodaya Pirivena. It was founded by Ven. Hikkaduwe Sumanagala on a land donated by Lansage Don Adiris Perera Dharmagunawardena from Matara who had settled down at Kotahena, he said. According to Col. Henry Steele Olcott, Dharmagunawardena was the Chief Dayakaya and supporter of Vidoydaya Pirivena until his death. |
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