Most Venerable (Dr) Pallegama Siriniwasa Thero, Custodian & Chief Priest of the Maha Bodhi & Atamasthanadhipathi of Anuradhapura passed away on Tuesday (18).
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed North Central Province Governor Maheepala Herath & Buddhasasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka to coordinate arrangements for the full state-sponsored funeral of Most Venerable (Dr) Pallegama Siriniwasa Thero, Custodian & Chief Priest of the Maha Bodhi & Atamasthanadhipathi of Anuradhapura.
The Most Venerable Thero passed away at the age of 69 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.
The Venerable Thero also served as Chief Sangha Nayake for the North Central Province.
Chief Incumbent of Ruwanweli Maha Seya Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero announced that the remains of the late Most Venerable (Dr) Pallegama Siriniwasa Thero will be moved to Anuradhapura on Wednesday (19) evening.
The remains will be placed at a private funeral parlor until 12 noon on Wednesday (19).
The Most Venerable (Dr) Pallegama Siriniwasa Thero was born in Pallegama, Dambulla on the 2nd of January 1953 to Karunasena Mudiyanselage Tikiri Bandara Nilame, and Dukganna Walawwe Anula Kumarihamy.
The late thero was ordained at the Ruwanweli Maha Seya in Anuradhapura in 1968.
He was educated at the Vidyodaya Pirivena in Maligakanda, Sandalankawa Shasthrodaya Pirivena, Sri Jinarathana Pirivena in Gangarama, and later graduated from the University of Kelaniya.
The Late Most Venerable (Dr) Pallegama Siriniwasa Thero was also bestowed with a doctorate by the Government of Thailand commending his services to the Dhamma.
In 1975 the late thero obtained the Upasampada, the Buddhist rite of higher ordination, and was elevated to the post of Atamasthanadhipathi in 1997.
The late Most Venerable (Dr) Pallegama Siriniwasa Thero served in that position for almost a quarter of a century working towards the development of the Atamasthana, and also played a pivotal role in protecting ancient places of worship.
He was also instrumental in the introduction of basic facilities for the thousands of devotees who visit Anuradhapura daily.
The late Most Venerable (Dr) Pallegama Siriniwasa Thero who rendered a monumental service to the people of the country, was widely respected across all fora.
