Sangha patriarch felicitated

BY NIRMALA Samarasinghe

VEN. MAHOPADYAYA Aluthgama Dhammananda Thera of Malwatte Maha Viharaya, Kandy was born on November 22, 1915 at Aluthgama near Thumpane in Kandy district to parents Maha Arambe Rajakaruna Wasala Dukganna Ralahamillage Dingiri Banda, Village Headman and Herath Mudiyanselage Ranmenike, he was named Heenbanda. He received his primary education at Muruddeniya and Idamegama Vidyalayas.

He was ordained as a novice under the tutelage of Ven. Pahamune Dharmakeerthi Sri Sumangala, the then Maha Nayake of Malwatte Chapter and the Ven. Aluthgama Sri Piyadassi Nayake Thera.

He received his education at Sri Sangaraja Pirivena, Kandy and received higher ordination at the Uposathagaraya of Malwatte Maha Viharaya.

History was created when a felicitation ceremony was held on January 6 2001 at the main hall of Palipana Chandananda Buddhist Research Institute Asgiriya Maha Viharaya presided over by the Ven. Galagama Sri Attadassi Anu Nayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter and organised by the Ven. Medagama Dhammananda and Ven. Kumbukkandawala Punnaratana Theras of Asgiriya Viharaya with the assistance of all Buddhist Societies in Kandy and its suburbs.

Ven. Dhammananda Nayake Thera was conducted to the venue in a colourful procession of Kandyan and other dancers and elephants from Hippola Temple of Malwatte Maha Viharaya.

A Sanghika Dana to one hundred and twenty five members of the Maha Sangha including the Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Maha Nayake Thera and the Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Anu Nayake Thera of the Chapter will be held on January 29 to confer the Blessings of the Triple Gem on the Ven. Dhammananda Nayake Thera by the Dayaka Sabha of Bogahapitiya Purana Viharaya in Aluthgama where our Nayake Thera is the Viharadhipathi, Sri Sangaraja Gunanusmarana Sangamaya, Kandy, its Kantha Sangamaya and other Buddhist Societies in Kandy.

Today, aged ninety one years, we hope our Nayake Thera will live many more years passing the centenary year serving the Sambuddha Sasana and the world.