Ven Pelpola Vipassi thera provided yeoman service to Buddha Sasana

Most Ven Pelpola Vipassi thera has rendered a yeoman service in his capacity as Deputy Administrator of the Calcutta headquarters of the Mahabodhi Society of India, Mahabodhi Society of Bodhgaya, Deputy Administrator and Inspector of the Mahabodhi Society of Sarnath and Administrator of the Mahabodhi Society of Bombay for four years.

Former Parivenadhipathi of the Vidyodaya Pirivena, Maligakanda late Ven Rajakeeya Panditha Akuretiye Amarawansa Nayake Thera paying a tribute to Ven Pelpola Vipassi Thera at a ceremony said, “during the history of the sasana I have never seen a philanthropic Bhikku in the calibre of Ven Pelpola Vipassi thera who had contributed such enormous funds towards the benefit and welfare of others”. The late Ven Prof. Walpola Rahula Thera too had expressed similar sentiments about Ven Pelpola Vipassi thera.

Late President J R Jayewardene had once confided to his Cabinet member Minister Anandatissa de Alwis that if Ven Pelpola Vipassi thera had been a layman he would have appointed him as his Finance Minister.

From 1974, he established a friendship with Japan. As a result of this friendship he was able to accomplish the responsibility of constructing a Peace Pagoda at Sri Pada. By promoting Japan- Sri Lanka friendship, he has been able to establish a deep religious and cultural relationship between the two countries. As fruits of that great friendship Ven Pelpola Vipassi thera was able to co-ordinate with the government of Japan and arrange Japanese funding for the Samanalawewa and Moragahakanda projects of the Mahaweli development scheme.

He obtained a vast amount of aid for Sri Lanka by arranging a visit of his erstwhile friend and Japanese philanthropist Ryoichi Sasakawa to Sri Lanka. Building of the Sasakawa hall was one result of that visit which has provided an opportunity for children and youth of this country to study the Japanese language.

The President's Fund was established by the then President J R Jayewardene in response to a request made by Ven Pelpola Vipassi thera. Ven Pelpola Vipassi thera donated Rs 4 million to initiate the President's Fund.

He provided then President R Premadasa with Rs 3 million to erect a ran viyana (golden canopy) for the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. Moreover, the public address system at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy was installed with Ven Pelpola Vipassi thera's financial assistance. He has made 25 metal tables and donated them to the Sri Dalada Maligawa for placing Buddha statues.

A significant feature of the services rendered by Ven Pelpola Vipassi thera is that he had utilized entirely foreign funds for his work. There is no other member of the Maha Sangha who brings so much foreign exchange for the benefit of the motherland.

P D R P Rajapakse
Secretary-Pelpola Vipassi Foundation