‘Ven Urumuththe Somarathana Nayaka thera led an exemplary life’

A W Gunawradhana Matara Central Corr

The services rendered by late Ven Urumuththe Somarathana Nayaka Thera to the Buddha Sasanaya had been immense and his demise was a great loss. The thera led an exemplary religious life, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said, when he addressed the large gathering of Maha Sangha and members of the public who were present at the funeral of the Nayaka Thera, Chief Incumbent of Peekwella Pantharama Temple in Matara and the Chief Sanganayaka of the Matara District.

The cremation took place at the Sanath Jayasuriya, play ground at Kotuwegoda in Matara recently.

Minister Abeywardena further said that his demise was a great loss, specially to the Southern Province, but yet feel confident that his batch of learned pupils would be able to continue with the excellent services rendered by the Nayaka Thera. Deputy Sanga Nayaka of Sri Rohana Parsawaya of Shamopali Maha Nikaya, Ven. Gombaddala Nandarama Nayaka Thera, conveyed the sympathies on behalf of Rev Dr Attudawe Sri Rahula Maha Nayaka of Sri Rohana Parsawaya of Shamopali Maha Nikaya and the Chancellor of University of Ruhuna.

He said that the demise of Somarathana Nayaka Thera, was a great loss to the Buddha Sasanaya. For the last several decades, the late thera had rendered yeoman service to the Buddha Sasana and was very firm in his principles on Buddhism.

Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Matara District MP Buddhika Pathirana, Director Vidyodaya Pirivena and Chief Sangha Nayaka of Colombo, “New Totamune” Akuratiye Nanda Nayaka Thera and several others spoke.