24 June 2023 12:00 am Views - 291
in recognition of the national, religious and social services rendered to the society. In 1998, the Nayaka Thero was conferred with the title of Chief of Judicial and Ecclesiastical Affairs of the Nava Korale in Colombo. The Alumni Association of Sri Jayawardenapura University presented the “Sri Jayawardenapura Pradeepa” award and in 2020, Lincoln university of Malaysia awarded an honorary Doctorate to the Nayaka Thero. The conferring ceremony was held at 9 a.m. on the 24th of June at the Uposathagaraya of the Malwatte Maha Viharaya. Chief Sanganayaka of Southern Sri Lanka, Chief incumbent of Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya, Upadhyaya, Venerable Mataramba Hemarathana Nayaka Thero, Chief Sanganayaka of Seenadi Siv Korale, Chief incumbent of Attanagalla Rajamaha Viharaya, Upadhyaya, Ven,.Dr. Pannila Ananda Nayaka Thero, Vidyalankara
Parivenadipathi, Ven. Welamitiyawe Gnanarathana Nayaka Thero participated. Chief justice Mr. Jayantha Jayasuriya, Secretary of Ministry of Buddhasasana Mr. Somarathna Vidanapathirana, President of Bauddhaloka Foundation Mr. Jagath Sumathipala, Principal of Ananda College Colombo, Mr. Lal Dissanayaka, Senior Professor Raja Gunawardana, President’s Counsel Mr.Prasantha Lal De Alwis were present. A special poojawa to invoke blessings was held in the evening at the Dalada Maligawa. A special Atavisi Buddha Poojawa will be held at the Bauddhayatanaya, Mt. Lavinia on 25th June at 6.00 pm.