Demise of Ambanwelle Sri Siddhartha Anu Nayake Thera:

President deeply grieved

I am deeply grieved on hearing of the passing away of the Most Ven. Ambanwelle Sri Siddhartha Pannasekera Anu Nayaka Thera, Viharadhipathi Deeparama, Kalapitiya, Kotmale and Anu Nayake of the Malwatte Chapter of the Siam Niyaka, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a condolence message on the passing away of the prelate.

The message also said: "Born on December 27, 1924 at Ambanwelle, Yatipalatha Korale, Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya District, he entered the community of the Sangha on January 25, 1940.

Having received higher ordination on June 6, 1945, Ven Pannasekera Nayaka Thera pursued higher studies at the Maligakanda Vidyodaya Pirivena in Colombo and was the first in class every year.

In 1953, he won the Syamaraja Prize for obtaining the best results in the final secondary examination.

I recall that it was the Most Ven Anu Nayake Thera that scribed the Sinhala text of the Letter of Credentials presented to President Yoroshilov of the Soviet Union by the Sri Lankan Ambassador Prof Gunapala Malalasekera, for which he was specially commended by the Soviet President. The demise of the Most Ven Anu Nayake Thera who made a significant contribution to social upliftment as a fluent preacher, great monk and an exemplary Maha Thera is an irreparable loss.

The Anunayake Thera was in charge of the Theva at the Dalada Maligawa and was also a member of the Senior Sangha Council. He was immensely honoured for his religious and social services.

On this sad occasion I would like to recall with respect the advice the Anunayake Thera gave me on numerous occasions which strengthened my political journey. Buddhism preaches that everything is impermanent and hence what ever that is born should also die.

May the Most Ven. Ambanwelle Sri Siddhartha Pannasekera Anu Nayaka Thera attain Nibbana.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Karaka Sangha Sabha and the Most Ven Thibbotuwawe Siri Sumangala Maha Nayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter of the Siam Nikaya, fraternal and pupil monks, Dayaka community and all people in the area on the passing away of the Most Ven Ambanwelle Sri Siddhartha Pannasekera Anu Nayaka Thera."