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Erudite, exemplary bhikkhu as President Amarapura Sangha Sabha

by D. Lionel Henry

The Most Venerable Ariyawansalankara Chandrakeerti Sri Vinayacharya Boyagama Wimalasiri Mahanayake thera will receive his act of appointment as the new President of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha at a ceremony at the BMICH, Colombo on June 6 at 2.45 p.m.

The Most Venerable Aggamaha Panditha Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thera will preside.

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers, MPs and members of the Diplomatic Corps will be among the distinguished gathering at this ceremony.

Venerable Boyagama Wimalasiri Mahanayaka Thera hails from Balapatthawa, Boyagama, a village in the four Korales. Born on October 20, 1921, he was named Akwattage William. At the age of 14 he was ordained as a Samanera bhikkhu at Mahamodera, Galle, as a pupil of Venerable Boyagama Sri Gnanaratana Mahanayake Thera.

After receiving his preliminary education under the tutelage of Poregedara Dhammapala Thera, he entered the Maligakanda Vidyodaya Pirivena in 1937 and obtained the degree of Vinayacharya.

He received his higher ordination, in July 1943 with Venerable Boyagama Gnanaratna Maha Thera, Venerable Edurapotha Gunaratana Maha Thera and Venerable Lenama Himarathana Maha Thera as his preceptors.

Venerable Wimalasiri has an exemplary record of service to the community. As an educationist and social worker.

In 1962 under a programme of the then government to change bhikkhus among Theravada Buddhist countries, he proceeded to Thailand after winning the first place at the selection examination held for the purpose.

Having learned the Thai language he entered the Maha Makuta University of Thailand and gained a high standard of proficiency in the Thai language in addition to learning various other disciplines. Thereafter he wrote a book titled "Buddhist Culture of Thailand" covering the history, culture and the Bhikkhu Sasana of Thailand. The book won high approbation from the King of Thailand and he not only conferred the Honorary Title of 'Acharya' to the Mahanayaka thera but also decreed that as long as he stayed in Thailand, he was to be provided with the services of the Royal Physician of the Palace.

From 1970 to 1979 he also functioned as a lecturer in the Chitla Bhavan Bhikkhu University of Thailand.

In 1974, on the invitation of Javun, Maha Nayaka Thera of Korea he visited that country. Delighted with the sermons preached by the Mahanayaka Thera, he gifted him a beautiful Aramaya provided with all facilities, requesting him to reside there and propagate Theravada Buddhism.

Venerable Wimalasiri has also visited Japan, Singapore and Malaysia for various religious activities.

For several years from 1977 he conducted the 'Daham Suvanda' programme broadcast by the Veritas Radio Service of the Philippines.

May Venerable Wimalasiri Mahanayake Thera live long with the blessings of the noble triple gem.

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