Ven. Dhammananda Thera passes away

Malwatta Maha Vihara Karaka Sabha Senior Member Aggamaha Panditha Ven. Aluthgama Dhammananda Nayaka Thera passed away at the Kandy General Hospital on Monday night at the age of 103, Malwatta Maha Vihara Deputy Secretary Ven. Dimbulkumbure Sri Saranankara Wimaladhamma Thera said.

He said the final rites of the Nayaka Thera would be held on Saturday at 2.00 p.m under state patronage at the Asgiriya Police Grounds in Kandy.

The Ven. Saranankara Wimaladhamma Thera said, the Nayaka Thera was ordained as a novice under the tutelage of Ven. Pahamune Dhammakeerthi Sri Sumangala Thera the then Maha Nayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter and the Ven. Aluthgama Sri Piyadassi Nayake Thera.

He was educated at Sri Sangharaja Privena, Kandy and gained higher ordination at the historic Uposathagaraya of Malwatte Maha Viharaya in 1935.

In 1936, he founded Sri Mahinda Daham Pasala at Ampitiya and was the head teacher until 1950. He started the Katina Cheevara Pooja at Malwatte Maha Viharaya in 1944 and held it annually for 71 years. Sasana history was created in 1944 when two Katina Cheevarayas were offered to the Maha Sangha who lined up at two temples belonging to Malwatte Maha Viharaya namely Malwatte Maha Viharaya and Poya Malu Viharaya. Since the opening of the official residence of Malwatte Maha Nayake Thera in 1966, three katina cheevarayas were offered to the Maha Sangha placing at the same place. This was a unique event in the Buddhist world.