Kandy Vishnu Devalaya Basnayake Nilame passes away

20 October 2015 01:42 pm Views - 9435

The Basnayake Nilame of Kandy Sri Maha Vishnu Devalaya and Aluthnuwara Dedi Munda Devalaya, Mohan Panabokke passed away this afternoon at the Kandy General Hospital.

The late Panabokke had contributed immensely over a long period of time towards the successful conduct of the historic Kandy Esala Perehera. Assuming duties as the trustee of the Lankathilake Sri Vishnu Devalaya, he laid the foundation for the progress of religion in the Kandy region. He held the post of the Basnayake Nilame of the Kandy Historical Vishnu Devalaya continuously for seventeen years.

At the time of his death Mohan Panabokke was sixty years old.

An exemplary student of Trinity College Kandy, he is a close relative of two prominent political families of Sri Lanka. They are the Bandaranaikes and the Ratwattes. Late John Atul Panabokke and Lalanawathie (Dolly) were his parents and was the beloved husband of Nandanie Panabokke. He is the father of Priyanjith and Gayathri and his brothers are Jayantha and Dihan .

His remains now lie at No 18, Weerakoon Gardens, Kandy until 4.30 pm today (21) and final rites are due to be held at the Mahaiyawa general cemetery at 06.00 pm. (Sarath Samaranayake and L.B. Senaratne)