Cremation of Most Ven. Metaramba Hemarathana Thera today
The cremation of the late Viharadhipathi of the historical Situlpavwa Raja Maha Viharaya, Chief Prelate of Dakshina Lanka, Most Venerable Metaramba Hemarathana Thera, will be held today (05) at the Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya, Galle, the Situlpawwa Raja Maha Vihara Foundation said.
The remains of the prelate were kept for public respect at Situlpawwa Rajamaha Vihara Dharma Mandiraya from Sunday (3) morning until yesterday (4) 9.00 am and the body was then taken to Galle, Yatagala Rajamaha Viharaya at 9.30 am yesterday in a special vehicle procession.
The funeral committee said that the body will be kept at the Yatagala Raja Maha Vihara Dharma Mandiraya from noon yesterday (4) to 2.00 pm today (5).
The body of the Chief Prelate was taken to the Yatagala Rajamaha Viharaya, Galle on December 2 afternoon and was then taken to the Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya on the same day.
Most Venerable Metaramba Hemarathana Thera, the Chief Prelate of Dakshina Lanka Malwathu faction of Siam Maha Nikaya, including the historic Situlpawwa Rajamaha Vihara and Ashtamaha Viharadipathi passed away on December 1 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo. He was 83.
The Most Venerable Thera was born in 1942 as the fifth in a family of six children to Ahangama Nanayakkara Gamage James Nanayakkara and Akmeemana Palliyaguruge Alice Nona alias Yatagama Hamine who resided in Mataramba, Unawatuna. The lay name of the prelate was Nanayakkara Gamage Nelson Nanayakkara.
On April 5, 1956, he entered the religious life with the name Metaramba Hemarathana under the tutorship of Viharadipathi of the Galle, Yatagala Rajamaha Viharaya, Ven. Illuppitiye Jinarathana Thera, Ven. Wattehene Rathanasara Thera and Ven. Wattahene Piyarathana Thera.
He presided over eight temples including the historic Situlpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya, Galle Yatagala Rajamaha Viharaya, and the historic Magul Maha Viharaya.
He has also written many scripture and literature books including Vandana Gatha, Hindu Arya Culture, Historical Magul Maha Viharaya, Advanced Buddhist Dharma Sangrahaya and Lekhana Rekha.
The post Cremation of Most Ven. Metaramba Hemarathana Thera today appeared first on DailyNews.