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| Saturday, 13 September 2003 |
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Day of National Mourning : Most Ven. Madihe Pannaseeha Thera's cremation today The cremation of Most Ven. Agga Maha Panditha Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayake Thera will take place with full State honours today at Independence Square, Colombo. Thousands of devotees flocked to the Sri Vajiragnana Dharmayathanaya, Maharagama and to the Vajiraramaya, Bambalapitiya to pay their last respects to the internationally-renowned erudite Buddhist monk. The late Mahanayake Thera was closely associated with the Maharagama Dharmayathanaya and Vajiraramaya, Bambalapitiya. Among the mourners were a large number of Buddhist monks, dignitaries from other religions, politicians, academics, artistes and schoolchildren. The government has declared a day of national mourning today in honour of the Most Ven. Thera who rendered a yeoman service to the Buddha Sasana and to the country. The government has decided to close all liquor license premises in the Colombo District today as a mark of respect to the Nayake Thera. The organising committee has requested devotees to come to the Dharmayathanaya and to the cremation dressed in white and to hoist a yellow flag at their residences. They have requested mourners to refrain from using polythene for banners and messages of condolence. The remains of the Most Ven. Thera were taken to the Vajiraramaya, Bambalapitiya along the High Level Road for the public to pay their last respects yesterday. The Ransivige carrying the remains will leave Vajiraramaya for Independence Square at 2 pm today through Havelock Road, Thunmulla, Reid Avenue and Independence Avenue. Schoolchildren will line up the route carrying yellow flags and white flowers. Thousands of devotees are expected to attend the cremation. Among the numerous services to the Sasana, his contribution to the propagation of Theravada Buddhism overseas takes a special place. He pioneered the establishment of Buddhist viharayas in Western countries. He was widely known throughout the Buddhist world for his untiring efforts to spread the word of the Buddha to every corner of the globe. National leaders also sought his advice on numerous occasions. The Nayaka Thera was conferred the title 'Agga Maha Panditha' the honorific title from the Burmese Government in 1996 to appreciate the services to the Buddha Sasana.He founded the Dharma Vijaya Foundation in 1979. He assisted Monks and Samaneras to receive a sound education. Born to a Methodist father and a Buddhist mother in Madihe, Down South on July 21, 1913, the Thera entered the Buddhist order in 1926 and obtained higher ordination in 1933. He has served the Buddha Sasana for 77 years. He passed away on Monday morning at the National Hospital, Colombo at the age of 91. In a special statement issued yesterday, Police Headquarters said that parking will not be allowed on the Ransivige route. Police urged motorists to use alternative roads, warning that traffic will be diverted at several points. Some roads in the vicinity of Independence Square will remain closed to normal traffic until the cremation ends. |
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