COLOMBO (NewsRadio); President Ranil Wickremesinghe says late Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri thera fearlessly stood by his beliefs during times of national, Buddha Sasanika and social turmoil.
Expressing his condolences on the demise of the Chief Prelate of the Amarapura Chapter Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri thera, President Wickremesinghe referred to him as a father figure to the monkhood, who ensured its integrity was preserved.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday paid his last respects to the late Chief Prelate of the Amarapura Chapter, Aggamahapandita Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri thera.
President Wickremesinghe said Dodampahala Chandrasiri thera performed a unique mission for the advancement of the Sambuddha Sasana.
Meanwhile, the final rites of the late Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri thera were performed under state honours at the Independence Square.
Chief Prelate of the Amarapura Chapter Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri thera passed away on Tuesday (16) at the age of 84.
Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri thera passed away while receiving treatment at a Sri Jayewardenepura hospital.
Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri thera was named the Chief Prelate of the Amarapura Chapter in July 2021.
Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri was born on the 20th of December, 1939 in Dodampahala in the Southern Province.
The household name of the thera was Ediriweera Patabandige Sugunadasa who received his early school education at Dodampahala Central High School.
The thera entered the monkhood at the age of 11 in November 1950 at the Walukarama Monastery in Kudawella, and received his early monastic education at the Wiraba Pirivena, Matara and at the Vidyaloka Pirivena, Galle.
The Venerable Thera received his higher admission (upasampada) on the 17th of June 1962 in Matara.
Meanwhile, the Chief Incumbent of the Devinuwara Raja Maha Viharaya, Venerable Devinuwara Siri Sunanda Thera has been named as the Acting Chief Prelate of the Amarapura Kalyanawansa Chapter.
The decision has been taken by the Executive Committee of the Amarapura Kalyanawansa Chapter following the demise of Chief Prelate of the Amarapura Chapter Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri thera.
