By Dileep Jayasekara and M.K.Nandasena   

Chief Incumbent of Situlpawwa Raja Maha Vihara and Chief Sanghanayake of the Malwatta Chapter in the Southern province Ven. Metaramba Hemaratana Thera passed away yesterday afternoon at a private hospital in Colombo.   
Ven. Thera was 83 years of age at the time of passing away after taking ill.   Born at Eganthollawatta in Metaramba to the family of Ahangama Nanayakkara Gamage Jemis Nanayakkara and Akmieemana 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 Metaramba Hemarathana under the tutelage of Chief Incumbent of 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 Situlpawwa Rajamaha Vihara, and Magulmaha Viharaya, held the position of Chief Sanghanayake of the Sothern province. Ven. Thera who was dedicated to litarary pursuites has authored several books on Buddhist culture, religion and literature.   
A representative of the Dayaka Sabha said arrangements of the  cremation would be announced later.