Palipane Sri Chandananda Buddhist Institute to be established

by L. B. Wijayasiri in Kandy

Arrangements are being made by a high powered committee to establish a full-pledged Buddhist Vidyalaya at Asgiriya, Kandy in memory of the late Ven. Palipane Sri Chandananda Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter.

The Vidyalaya is to be set up under the advice and guidance of most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter and Most Ven. Udugama Sri Ratanapala Buddharakkhitha Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Mahavihara Chapter.

Ven. Dr. Godagama Mangala Thera, the Vice Chancellor of Buddhasrawaka University, Anuradhapura was instrumental in establishing this "Palipana Sri Chandananda Buddhist Education Institute."

The Board of Management will be headed by Most Ven. Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya and Malwatta Chapters. It would consist of two former Vice Chancellors of the Peradeniya University, senior lecturers and eminent scientists and medical professionalists. The new college's scheme of subjects will be in keeping with the syllabuses of the Department of Education and in keeping with the Government's education policy.

A land with a five-storied building adjacent to the Palipane Sri Chandananda International Buddhist Research and Education Centre at Asgiriya has been selected to establish this college.

The medium of instruction in this college will be Sinhala and English and a few more languages would be taught too. Once the selection of suitable academic staff is finalised steps would be taken to enrol students for 2006. Classes will be conducted from Year 1 to GCE Advanced Level, said Ven. Dr. Godagama Mangala Thera, the Vice Chancellor of the Bhikku University.