Passing Away of the Most Venerable Weweldeniye Sri Medhalankara Maha Thera :

‘Great loss to the Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka’

By the Most Venerable Aggamaha Panditha Kotugoda Dhammawasa Anunayaka Thera, president of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha

“The Passing Away of the Most Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Aggamaha Saddhammajothikadhaja Venerable Weweldeniye Sri Medhalankara Maha Thera has been a great loss to the Sri Lanka Sangha Sasana.

A noble monk who lived up to the remarkable age of nearly 104 years and dedicated 83 of it to lead an exemplary life and his services to the cause of Buddhism were immeasurable. Born Singamkutti Arachchige Benjamin Appuhamy at Millawala, Wewaldeniya on December 7, 1909, his parents were Singamkutti Arachchige Isan Appuhamy and Rajapaksa Witharanalage Liyaguhamy. He had his primary education at the village school and entered monkhood under the tutelage of the Venerable Kataluwe Seelawansa and Venerable Kadiragama Sumanasara Theras at the Abhayagiri Vihara, Anuradhapura on May 22, 1922.

Ven. Medhalankara Thera who became known for his erudition by the time he was aged 20 received higher ordination at the Udakukkhepa Seemamalaka at Imbulgahamankada, Maoya on June 16, 1930.

Thereafter while receiving higher education in Sinhala, Pali, Sanskrit and Buddha Dhamma he received a special scholarship to pursue education in Myanmar (Burma). But since his teacher was indisposed he was reluctant to accept the scholarship. The refusal reflected his immense respect and devotion to his teacher. Ven. Medhalankara strongly believed the gratitude he thus expressed became a blessing that helped him to eventually become the Maha Nayake of the Ramanna Sect.

In 1972 he was appointed Chief Incumbent of the Sasanawardhana Piriven Viharaya, Meerigama and since 1983 he also held the position of Uparimanu Wijaka. Later he performed an invaluable service as Sanna Lekhanadhikari and Adhikarana Sanghanayake.

In 1998 Ven. Medhalankara Thera was elevated to the position of the 12th Mahanayaka of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Sect. The unique feature of his life was that he reached all these positions uncontested.

A close associate of Sri Lanka’s first Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake of Botale Walawwa, Meerigama, Ven. Medhalankara played a leading role in developing the Meerigama Maha Vidyalaya after renaming it D.S. Senanayake Maha Vidyalaya.

His services included improving rural development societies, community councils and other bodies in various parts of the country, establishing the Maha Bodhi Children’s Home, The Seth Sewana Elders’ Home, Thawalampitiya and raising the Meerigama Hospital to the level of a base hospital.

In accordance with the Buddha’s saying, the gift of the Dhamma is the greatest gift of all. The Ven. Medhalankara Thera never sought fame or wealth in his service to the people irrespective of age, setting an invaluable example to the present generation.

By his simple living and wisdom he earned the respect of all, including heads of state who sought his advice on matters pertaining to national and religious issues.

In these matters the Ven. Medhalankara Thera worked together with the Mahanayakes of the Malwatu, Asgiri and Amarapura Sects to ensure harmony and unity among the sects.

I recall the full approval and encouragement he gave us when the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha led by its Supreme Head, Venerable Dawuldena Siri Gnanissara Maha Nayake Thera proposed bestowing honorary titles to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Commanders of the Three Armed Forces at a magnificent ceremony at the Independence Building, Independence Square, Colombo.

Consequently the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya and the Ramanna Maha Nikaya jointly organized the unique event.

Ven. Medhalankara Thera always stressed the need for religious harmony and advised the Maha Sangha on the importance of working together with the leaders of all ethnic groups and religious communities to bring peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka.

“We shall always cherish the guidance of the Venerable Medhalankara Maha Nayaka Thera who gave the late Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Mahanayaka Thera, the then Supreme Head of the Amarapura Sect and Chief Prelates of the Malwatu and Asgiriya Sects in serving the Buddha Sasana and the Sangha community.

“We wish that this great patriarch be reborn among us to further serve the cause of the Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka”.