Chief incumbent passes away

Ven Kirielle Sri Saranankara Chief Sanghanayake Thera of Raigam Korale and Viharadhipati, Sri Jinendrarama Viharaya, Bullers Lane, Colombo passed away Monday. The Nayaka Thera was 91 years at the time of his demise.

Born on July 28, 1919 at Kiriella Ven. Sri Saranankara Thera had his primary education at the Kiriella Maha Vidyalaya.

He entered the bhikkhu order on March 6, 1933 as a samanera bhikkhu under the preceptorship of Ven. Wagawatte Sri Sumanajothi Chief Sanghanayaka Thera of Sabaragamuwa Province. He received his higher ordination on July 5, 1940 at the Kotte Raja Maha Viharaya under the tutelage of Ven. Wagawatte Sri Sumanajothi Chief Sanghanayake Thera and received higher education at the Vidyodaya Pirivena, Maligakanda.

He was instrumental in setting up the Sri Jinendrarama Viharaya on a marshy land at Bullers Lane and developing it to a fully- fledged place of Buddhist worship catering to a large number of devotees.

Funeral arrangements will be notified later.