Most Ven Wewaldeniye Medhalankara Thera passes away

Priyanka Kurugala

Ramannaya Maha Nikaya Mahanayake the Most Ven Wewaldeniye Medhalankara Thera passed away yesterday evening at a private hospital in Colombo at the age of 103.

The Thera was ordained on May 26, 1922 under the tutelage of Venerable Kathaluwe Silavansa Nayake thera, the chief prelate of Abhayagiriya Temple in Anuradhapura and Venerable Kadiragama Sumanasara Thera.

He had been practising monastic disciplinary rules and studying doctrine for about four years before he returned to Sasanawardana Piriven Vihara in Mirigama.

He received his higher ordination under the guidance and supervision of his great teachers - Venerable Kodagoda Upasena and Venerable Kadiragama Sumanasara respectively. Apart from his valuable contribution to Nikaya, he endeavoured to uplift the social values through various religious and educational activities to which he has given the leadership.

Buddhsasana and Religious Affairs Ministry Secretary M K B Dissanayake said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had directed the authorities to hold the funeral under state patronage, prior to his departure to Iran to participate in the NAM head of State summit.

The funeral arrangements would be notified later.