Ven Kulugammana Sobhitha Nayake Thera pious, erudite monk - Minister

The passing away of Ven. Kulugammana Sri Dharmarakshitha Sobhitha Dhammarakiththe Nayake Thera, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Malwatte Chapter who rendered a vital service towards the perpetuation of the Buddhasasana is a great loss to the country and the Sasana and specially to the hill country, states Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella in a condolence message.

”The services he rendered in his capacity as Parivenadhipati of Sangharaja Pirivena and Viharadhipati, Rambukwella Raja Maha Viharaya and Wegala Abhinawaramaya are enormous and most praiseworthy.

”Born on January 5, 1956 at Kulugammana, Harispattuwa, his lay name was Herath Mudiyanselage Kapila Shantha Seneviratne. His parents were K H M Punchibandara and H M Heenmenike.

He was ordained as a Samanera Bhikkhu on November 17, 1969 under the preceptorship of Ven Rambukwella Sri Sobhita Anunayake Thera, Wegala Aththadassi, Kulugammana Dhammadissi and Rambukwelle Pannalankara Theras at the Rambukwelle Raja Maha Viharaya. He received his higher ordination at the Mahawatte Maha Viharaya Uposathagaraye on April 1, 1976.

Following his education at the Madanwala Sri Dharmodaya Pirivena, and Sangharaja Pirivena, he entered the Peradeniya University in 1986.

After his graduation he functioned as a teacher attached to the Gampola Sri Buvanekaba Pirivena and Sangharaja Pirivena and later appointed Parivenadhipathi of Sangharaja Pirivena in 1998.

Appointed to the Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha of the Malwatte Chapter in 1995 he also functioned as the Karmaragacharya of the Malwatte Viharaya. A reputed preacher of the Dhamma he has travelled extensively in India, Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, China and Norway on Dhammaduta activities.

He was also incharge of the ‘thevara’ ceremony at the Sri Dalada Maligawa for many years.

A pious and erudite scholar monk he was a great teacher and Buddhaputra in the true sense of the word.

May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.