Napana Pemasiri Thera dedicated to preserve Buddha Sasana

Menikhinna Hurikaduwa Vidyasagara Piriven Viharadhipati Ven. Aggamaha Panditha Rajakeeya Panditha Most Ven. Napana Pemasiri Thera has been appointed the Mahanayaka Thera of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya. He will receive his act of appointment at a State ceremony held under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Independence Square, Colombo today. This article is published to mark the occasion.

‘If a Bhikku accepts and consumes the four requisites offered by anyone disregarding his or her social or economic status and leads a purified life preserving the Seela, mindful of the fortune of ordination, no one could prevent his welfare here in this world or hereafter’, said the Buddha. The Ven. Napana Pemasiri Thera who commands the honour and respect of both clergy and laity has proved the Buddha's teaching through his Bhikkhu life.

Ven Pemasiri Thera is an honourable Buddhaputra and a teacher who has dedicated his life for the perpetuation of the Sambuddha Sasana. Due to his erudition, piety, learning and disciplined life, he has been unanimously elected the 13th Mahanayake Thera of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya.

Born on January 20, 1923 at Napana in Patha Dumbara, Kandy, to parents Ekanayaka Mudiyanselage Maha Kumburegedara Tikiri Bandara Nilame and Niyangoda Hitibandara Mudiyanselage Bandara Menike, he was named Ekanayaka Mudiyanselage Tikiri Bandara. He was ordained as a Samanera Bhikkhu on July 8, 1933 at Hurikaduwa Udumbararamaya named as Ven. Napana Pemasiri. Having his initial Pirivena education at the Wellawatte Dharmodaya Pirivena, he entered the Nittambuwa Vidyananda Pirivena for higher learning. Obtaining several degrees, including the Rajakeeya Panditha Vinayacharya and Vinaya Visharada, he engaged in vigorous social and religious service.

He bequeathed a line of disciplined Bhikkhus to the Sasana by holding the post of Parivenadhipathi, Sri Vidyaloka Pirivena started at Ketawala Sri Jinendraramaya.

He also initiated the Hurikaduwa Sri Vidyasagara Pirivena and rendered a great service to uplift Dhamma education. He has travelled extensively in Singapore, Austria, Vienna, UK and India on Buddhist missionary work. In recognition of his Sasana service, he was awarded the Agga Maha Panditha title by the Myanmar government and Sthaviravanshalankara Shasanakirthi Sri title by the Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena.

As honorary President of the Kandurata Bhikkhu Sangamaya and the Kundasale Pradeshiya Shasanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya, he renders a laudable service to introduce youths to Sasana work. Ven. Pemasiri Thera who is concerned about the unity of the Bhikkhu Sasana, firmly backed the country during all challenges posed to it. He who has an excellent character is an example to the Bhikkhu generation.

His Stewardship as Mahanayake Thera of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya will be greatly helpful for the progress of the Nikaya and the Buddha Sasana. May the Triple Gem Bless the Ven. Napana Pemasiri Thera with good health and long life to continue his Sasana service many more years.