Asgiriya Chapter Lekakhadhikari passes away

Gamini Chandrasena, Katugastota group correspondent

The Ven. Prof. Warakawe Dhammaloka Nayake Thera, Lekakhadhikari of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siyam Maha Nikaya passed away on Monday night following a prolonged illness. He was 74.

Born on November 18, 1934 at Warakawa, Nawalapitiya Ven. Dhammaloka Thera was ordained as a Samanera bhikkhu on November 20, 1947.

He received higher ordination on June 10, 1954. Ven. Dhammaloka Thera who was an honours graduate of the Peradeniya University later served the same university as a lecturer, senior lecturer and Professor attached to its Department of Sinhala prior to his retirement.

Ven. Dhammaloka Thera who had an expert knowledge about the history of the Kandy Sri Dalada Maligawa took an active part in disseminating information about the hallowed place of Buddhist worship to the outside world through electronic and other media during the Kandy Esala Perahera season every year. His remains are lying at the Getambe Sri Sudarshanaramaya for the public to pay respects.