Ceremony to honour Deputy Chief Sanganayaka

resident Mahinda Rajapaksa, president of the Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Vihara Dayaka Sabawa will present the ‘Wijinipatha’ to Venerable Metaramba Premaratana Thera on his appointment as Dakshina Lanka Deputy Chief Sanganayaka at a ceremony to be held tomorrow at Yatagala Rajamaha Viharaya, Galle.

Ven. Wetaramba Hemaratana Thera was the fifth in the family of six at Mataramba village along Habaraduwa road via Heenatigala junction at Unawatuna in the south. Ven. Thera had his early education at Yatagala Malcolm Vidyalaya.

He became a novice monk at the age of 10 in 1956. This young Bhikkhu continued his education at Hettachala Piriwena, Yatagala and then at Piriwen Training school at Ratmalana.

The Venerable Thera received his higher ordination before the Chief Prelate of Malwathu Chapter on June 06, 1965.

The Ven. Thera entered Vidyodaya University and obtained an Arts Degree. He also obtained a post-graduate degree from the Colombo University followed by a Master of Arts degree from Kelaniya University.

He became the Viharadhipathi of Yatagala Rajamaha Viharaya in 1976.

He also held the posts of Piriwenadhipathi and Secretary of the working committee of Piriwenas in Galle district during 1987 to 1997. He was also honoured with the post of the president of the Senerath Paranawithana Foundation. He has written several books.

The Ven. Thera became the Ashtamaha Viharadhipathi in 2004. His religious services didn’t confine to his motherland alone. They included his missionary activities in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore during 1997.

He was also called upon to accept the post of Viharadhipathi at the Red Bridge Temple in the UK in 2000.

Malwathu Chapter of Kandy, having appreciated the outstanding services of the thera, bestowed upon him the Upa Pradhanar Sanghanayaka post of southern Sri Lanka. The Mahanayaka of Malwathu Chapter Most. Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera presented the Sannas Pathraya of this post on August 30 this year in Kandy.

The felicitation ceremony was held yesterday at Yatagala Rajamaha Viharasthanaya.