Ven. Baddegama Wimalawansa Thera’s service unforgettable, says President

Sarath Malalasekera

The late Ven. Baddegama Sri Wimalawansa Anunayake Thera occupied a special place among the erudite scholar bhikkus born in this country several decades ago, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a message to mark the unveiling of a statue of the late Ven. Sugathawansalankara, Tripitaka Vagishwaracharya, Sahithyasoori Baddegama Wimalawansa Anunayake Thera of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Mahanikaya, former Principal of Sri Lanka Vidyalaya (Ode Temple, Maradana) yesterday morning.

“It is with devotion that I send this message on the occasion of unveiling the statue of the late Ven. Baddegama Wimalawansa Anunayake Thera at the Ven. Baddegama Wimalawansa Anunayake Thera Road, (Deans Road, Maradana),” the President said.

“I wish to thank the present Viharadhipathi Ven. Nagoda Amarawansa Thera, the dayaka sabha and others for pioneering the construction of the statue of the Thera who was in the forefront in rendering an unforgettable service to the country, nation and religion,” the President’s message stated.

The message was read by Western Province Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Gamini Thilakasiri. The late Ven. Baddegama Wimalawansa Anunayake Thera should earn praise for transforming Sri Lanka Vidyalaya into a leading education institute in Colombo and providing education to thousands of clergy and laity.

“Ven. Beddegama Wimalawansa Anunayake Thera who endeavoured to improve the knowledge of the child generation by building schools in difficult areas was also a renowned writer and author.

“The Anunayake thera was well versed not only in Sinhala, Pali and Sanskrit but also Tamil and English. This enabled him to engage in Buddhist missionary activities in various foreign countries,” the President’s message added.

A great patriot, he pioneered efforts to make Sinhala the official language. Sri Lanka Vidyalaya Viharadhipathi Dr. Nagoda Amarawansa Nayaka Thera delivered the welcome speech.

Mahanayake Theras, Minister Karu Jayasuriya, Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana, Senior DIG Sirisena Herath, Asoka Vidyalaya Principal Gunadasa and businessmen participated. A foundation stone was also laid for the construction of a new Sangawasa for the Sri Lanka Vidyalaya. The statue was donated by Daya Gamage of Daya Group of Companies.