Thera turns 75

Ven Amatiyagoda Ananda Thera, Deputy Chief Sanghanayake of Sabaragamuwa Province and Viharadhipati, Digandala Sri Anandaramaya, Demuwana, Rakwana turns 75 on July 18.

Power and Energy Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekera in a message to mark the occasion said, "Ven Ananda thera was born on July 18, 1938 at Uragodakanda, Amatiyagoda off Godakawela in the Ratnapura district and was named Kapuge Heenmahathmaya. His parents were Kapuge Wasanahamy and Gamathi Ralalage Ranmenike. He came under the influence of Warayaya Sri Sudharmaramadhipati Ven Pannile Punnananda Maha Thera on January 2, 1949 and was ordained on October 18, 1950 as Ven Amatiyagoda Ananda Thera.

"He entered the Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena in 1953 and thereafter the Kelaniya University and graduated in 1965. He returned to the Digandala Sri Anandaramaya in 1965 as Viharadhipati and rendered a vital social and religious service for over five decades to the adjoining remote villages in the Ratnapura district.

He has bestowed the Sasana with a long line of student bhikkhus. May the blessings of the noble triple gem be with him for good health and long life to enable him to continue his Sasana and social service."