By Dileep Jayasekara and M.K. Nandasena 

Hambantota, Dec. 1 (Daily Mirror)- Chief Incumbent of the Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Vihara and Chief Sanghanayake of the Malwatta Chapter in the  Southern Province, Ven. Metaramba Hemarathane Thera passed away at the age of 83 at a private hospital in Colombo.

Born at Eganthollawatta in Metaramba to the family of Ahangama Nanayakkara Gamage Jemis Nanayakkara and Akmeemana Palliya Guruge Alice Nona alias Yatagama Hamini and named Nanayakkara Gamage Nelson, had his primary education at Yatagala Malcolm Vidyalaya.

He entered the order on April 05, 1956 at the age of six as Ven. Metaramba Hemarathana under the tutelage of Chief Incumbent of the Yatagala Rajamaha Vihara Ven. Ilukpitiye Jinarathana, Ven. Watthehene Rathanasara and Ven. Wattehene Piyarathana Theras.

Ven. Hemarathana Thera who had been the chief incumbent of eight temples including Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Vihara, and Magulmaha Viharaya, held the position of Chief Sanghanayake of the Sothern Province.

The Ven. Thera who was dedicated to litarary pursuits has authored several books on Buddhist culture, religion and literature. 

A representative of the Dayaka Sabha said arrangements for cremation will be announced later.