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Minister Tyronne Fernando

It is with great shock and profound sorrow that I learnt of the demise of the Most Venerable Agga Maha Pandita Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayaka Thera, the Supreme Incumbent of the Amarapura Mahasangha Sabha.

The Nayaka Thera's demise has caused a great and irreparable loss to both Sri Lanka and the Buddhists of the world, given his dedicated and invaluable service rendered towards the propagation of Theravada Buddhism throughout the whole world.

My first memory of Ven. Pannaseeha goes back as far back as 1956, when my father, Shelton C. Fernando, then Permanent Secretary, Home Affairs escorted the visiting King Mahendra, who came to Sri Lanka to participate in the Buddha Jayanthi commemorations, to pay a visit to Ven. Pannaseeha at Vajiraramaya. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs and on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs I take this opportunity to extend my deepest sympathies over the demise of Ven. Pannaseeha, a truly Sri Lankan son who promulgated the fame of Sri Lanka in the four corners of the world.

May Most Venerable Pannaseeha Nayaka Thera attain Nibbana.

Minister Jayalath Jayawardena

I was deeply saddened at the news of the demise of the Most Ven. Aggamaha Panditha, Madihe Pannaseeha Mahanayake Thera, and the Supreme Head of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha, who has been the object of veneration by the Buddhists as well as followers of other religions in our country.

He had brought honour to Sri Lanka from a multitude of other countries. During the times I had the opportunity to work with the late Mahanayake Thera I had experienced his wholehearted efforts towards achieving peace in Sri Lanka, his optimistic vision about peace and the devotion of his knowledge, labour and time for the uplift of Buddha Sasana.

He performed great services to Sri Lanka regardless of difference in politics, race and religion. The loss of such a great Buddhist Prelate is not only a loss for the country also a personal loss and cause of sadness for me.

World Buddhist Peace Foundation

The world Buddhist Peace Foundation expresses its deepest sorrow over the passing away of the Most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Mahanayaka Thera, Uttaritara Sangaha Nayaka of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha.

As an embodiment of peace he strove from the beginning of his life as a Buddhaputra to disseminate the Buddha's sublime message of peace and harmony not only with fellow being but also with nature as well.

In his thought, word and deed, peace was the fore-runner. Setting an example to the laity, he successfully brought under one banner all the Amarapura Bhikkhu Sangha fraternity so that they can work together for the common good of the masses. In all his endeavour in the fields of education, culture, arts, archaeology, literature, economics, politics, philosophy he gave the pride of place to peace which he considered Sine Qua Non. In the arena of politics, he was apolitical. However he gave his candid opinion on matters of national interest which for some became caustic. Nevertheless, ultimately his opinion was considered the best solution that would establish peace among all.

He was held in high esteem by all sections of the people as a genuine messenger and upholder of peace, states Nemsiri Mutukumara honarary Secretary of the World Buddhist peace Foundation in its condolence message.

Dharmaduta Seva

The Dharmaduta Seva expresses its heartfelt grief over the passing away of the Most Venerable Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayaka Thera, the Uttaritara Sanghanayaka of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha.

Mahanayaka Thera performed a deeply devoted and disciplined Sasana Service for the cause of the welfare and well-being of the people.

He left no stone unturned to root out the evil effect of the reasons of downfall of the masses, for instance the agonizing influence of gambling, the liquor menace, smoking and drug peddling. The Prelate was vociferous in his expression of the messages of those Vices, some indiciplined men and women committed against society.

His thoughts were received by well-meaning heads of schools and their academic staff and the students who formed school societies to prevent the spread of these Vices. Graft came to be severely rejected.

His lofty activity to revitalize national and cultural image of the country without giving way whatsoever, to follow narrow paths of partisanship which principle he followed throughout his saintly life.

The Mahanayaka Thera in the same light worked relentlessly to unite all the fraternities of the Bhikku Sangha which witnessed the establishment of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha.

The Dharmaduta Seva which was aimed at emulating the colossal service of the Mahanayaka in disseminating the Buddha's message providing books in many languages not only to the Sri Lankan people, but also to our neighbouring countries as well, in their own language, states Wickramasekera Bowalgaha, The Secretary of the Dharmaduta Seva in the message of condolence.

Bambalapitiya Flats Buddhist Society

The passing away of the Most Ven. Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayaka Thera is an irreperable loss both to the Buddhasasana and the Nation as a whole.

A simple and disciplined member of the Sangha, he blazed a trail for others to follow by example. The Ven. Maha Nayaka Thera devoted his entire life dedicated towards eradication of voice, corruption and violence from the society and did his utmost to wean away the younger generation from alcoholism and drug abuse.

He displayed compassion at all times but did not fail to express his views fearlessly on national issue. His absence, no doubt, will be felt. Our society was formed in 1962, the inaugural meeting being held at Vajiraramaya under the patronage of Ven. Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayaka Thera. He was our first patron and held the past for over two decades.

The demise of the Maha Nayaka Thera therefore weighs heavy on our society, all the more.

Hindu Community

On behalf of the Hindus of this country we send this condolence to our Buddhist brothers and sisters who have lost one of their great leaders.

The Most Ven. Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayaka Thera was held in high esteem by his followers and he led a disciplined and exemplary life and a strick adherent of Buddhist precepts and ideals. It is unfortunate that the country has lost him at a critical hour of our country when his guidance would have been a valuable asset to achieve peace.

May the late prelate attain the Supreme Bliss.

Colombo YMBA

The Colombo YMBA expresses its deepest condolences on the demise of the Most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayake Thera, who devoted his entire life for the uplift of the Buddha Sasana, Country and the Nation.

The Late Ven. Maha Nayake Thera was a shining example to the Maha Sangha. Ven. Maha Nayake Thera was a true leader who always guided the nation in the correct direction on the national and religious problems arose in our country.

Maha Nayake Thera's demise is a great loss to our country, Nation and the Buddha Sasana. May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.

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