The cremation of the Mahanayake Thera of Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya Most Ven Dauldena Gnanissara Thera who rendered an unparalleled service to the Buddha Sasana and the nation was held at Independence Square with full state honours yesterday.
The Mahanayake Thera passed away on Monday at the age of 102.
Yellow flags were hoisted at houses and workplaces in all corners of the country as a mark of respect to the Mahanayake Thera who guided the Sasana by leading a virtuous life in keeping with the Dhamma.
Speaking on the occasion President Maithripala Sirisena said that the passing away of the Mahanayake Thera was not only a great loss to the Buddha Sasana but for the whole nation as well.
The President said it will be difficult to fill the void left by the passing away of the Thera who carried the word of Dhamma not only around the country but around the globe as well.
A large gathering of the Maha Sangha, religious leaders of other faiths, President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa Ministers, Parliamentarians, members of the Diplomatic Corps and a general public were in attendance. Most Ven. Gnanissara Thera, the President said had a comprehensive knowledge of the Dhamma and with this knowledge he illuminated the Buddha Sasana and the society as a whole.
The President said that the Thera was bestowed with many titles in recognition of his service to uplift Buddhism and his knowledge in Buddhism, languages and other matters,.
The Most Ven. Davuldena Sri Gnanissara Thera was born in the village of Davuldena in the Badulla District in the year 1915. He was ordained as a novice monk in 1928 at the Thapodanarama Moola Maha Vihara in Sapugolla.
The Mahanayake Thera was conferred with several honorary titles in recognition of his service to the Buddha Sasana. They include the Agga Maha Panditha, Sahithyasoori, Thripitakacharya, Bashanthara Visharada, Jinasasana Keerthi Sri Grantha Vicharadha, Dvi Basha Visharadha, Sanskrutha Chakravarthi and Rajakeeya Panditha.
The cremation with State honours of the Mahanayake Thera of Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya Most. Ven. Dauldena Gnanissara Thera was conducted at Independence Square last afternoon. Members of the Maha Sangha, religious leaders of other faiths, President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ministers, Parliamentarians, members of the Diplomatic Corps and the public were in attendance. Pictures by Sudath Malaweera
