Most Ven Kirinde Somaloka Thera passes away

The Chief Incumbent of Sirinandana Pirivena, Sarikkamulla, Keselwatta, Panadura, Rajakeeya Panditha Most Ven. Kirinde Somaloka Thera, aged 83, passed away on Wednesday after a short illness at Panadura Hospital.

He maintained the position of Wanshalankara Prawachana Visharada of the Ramanna Chapter and was a London honourary degree holder.

He was also the Viharadhipathi of Sri Wimalakeerthi Temple at Horethuduwa and Rividevgama Sri Bodhiraja Vihara at Keselwatta.

Most Ven. Panditha Kirinde Somaloka Thera had authored many Buddhist books including the Sinhala translations of Egerton G. Baptist's Buddhism in Questions and Answers.

Among his literary works are Nivanata Keti Maga (Brief Way to Nibbana), Budun Penwu Nivan Maga (The Path of the Buddha) and Bandangaragatha Henpitagedara Gnanaseeha Panditha Mahimika Sandeshaya (one of his poetic works).

He was a former deputy principal of Sri Thaksala Maha Vidyalaya, Sarikkamulla, Panadura and was the principal of Sri Vimalakeerthi Daham Pasala.

The funeral of the Thera will take place today at the Gorakana Public Cemetery.