Most Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Anunayake Thera turns75
The Most Venerable Deputy Patriarch (Anunayake thera) of Malwatte Chapter of Siam Sect, Ven. Niyangoda Sri Vijithasiri Anunayake Thera reaches 75 years of age on November 26. The uniquely great service rendered by Ven. Anunayake Thera for the religious, cultural and social resurgence of the country will be long remembered and valued by the people of Sri Lanka and is sure to be recorded in our history in golden letters.
Seventy-five years ago, on November 26, 1948, a son was born to Herath Rajakaruna Wasala Mudiyanselage Kuda Banda Niyangoda and Molagoda Rajakaruna Wasala Mudiyanselage Bisomenike, both parents being teachers who were residing at Molagoda Walawwa, Niyangoda in Harispattuwa electorate. The boy had basic education in Piyadassi Maha Vidyalaya, Molagoda and Science College, Matale. It may be due to the merits accumulated over a long cycle of Sansara, on May 26, 1964, he was ordained at Niyangoda Purana Viharaya by the name of Niyangoda Vijithasiri, under the tutelage of Ven. Ethulgama Dewarakkita Nayake Thera, Bambaradeniye Medhananda Maha Thera, Gallelle Nandasara Thera and Henepola Nandasiri Nayake Thera.
Ven. Vijithasiri, the novice monk was entered to Dharmaloka Pirivena in Niyangoda and Ratnasela Pirivena in Wegama to complete his novice education. He was able to enrich his young life as a Buddhist monk in close association with Most Ven. Yakkaduwe Sri Pragnarama Nayake Thera, The parivenadhipathi of Vidyalankara Pirivena, Peliyagoda. Ven. Vijithasiri entered a higher ordination on Vesak full moon poya day in 1970, at Malwathu Maha Viharaya.
In 1968, Ven. Vijithasiri Thera entered to University of Peradeniya and obtained Bachelor of Art degree and Post Graduate Diploma in Education. After completing the studies, Ven. Anunayake Thera began his career as a teacher of Nalanda Pirivena, Kuda Uduwa, Horana and Gnaneshwara Pirivena affiliated to Gangaramaya in Colombo 02. Later he served at schools including Girihagama School, Paranagama School, Mahaweli Maha Vidyalaya and Kingswood College, Kandy.
Ven. Thera was entrusted with the “Thewawa” ceremony of Sri Dalada Maligawa, which is a highly respected task among the Buddhist monks in 1991.
The Thera was appointed as a member of Supreme Sangha Council of Malwatte Chapter of Siam Sect by Royal Pandit Most Ven. Sirimalwatte Sri Ananda Mahanayake Thera in 1986.Ven. Vijithasiri Thera has provided his invaluable service for the Annual Upasampada Ceremony of Malwathu Viharaya as a “Karmacharya” and a “Upadyaya” for several decades. He was elevated to the positions of Deputy Registrar and Registrar of Malwatte Chapter in 1990 and 1993 by Most Ven. Rambukwelle Sri Vipassi Mahanayake Thera. The Supreme Sangha Council of Malwatte Chapter conferred on him the prestigious position “Anunayake” in 2004.
Ven. Anunayake Thera was awarded an honorary doctorate from a Korean University and an honorary D.Litt. degree from Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka. The government of Myanmar honoured him with Mahasaddhammajotikadhaja prestigious title. Vidyalankara Pirivena, the prominent Buddhist Institution conferred him as ‘Sthavira wansalankara sasana Keerthi Sri’. Ven. Thera was appointed as the inaugural chancellor of Wickramarachchi University of Indegenious Medicine by His Excellency President of Sri Lanka. As the Anunayake Thera, Ven. Thera represented all the national and religious committees and functions throughout the country on behalf of The Most Venerable, Mahanayake Thera and supreme sangha council of Malwatta Chapter of Siam Sect. Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Anunayake Thera provided his maximum contribution to uplift Buddha Sasana as the representative of Malwatta chapter in several state and international scale works.
In 1990s, he actively participated to prepare the legal and constitutional acts related to Buddha Sasana. His knowledgeable, compendious speeches have become famous in the society due to the interesting vocal and verbal pattern unique to him. The selfless services rendered by Most Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Anuayake Thera, brought greater light to the Buddha Sasana. His actions portrayed a most efficient and esteemed personality. May the blessings of the Triple Gem be bestowed on the Anunayake Thera to live many more years in fostering the Sambuddha Sasana.
Dimuthu Punsara Colambage
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