The Executive Committee (Karaka Sangha Sabha) of the Malwatte Chapter has appointed Ven Atapattukande Ananda Nayake Thera as the Chief Adhikarana Sanghanayake for Southern Sri Lanka coupled with the honorary title ‘Saddharma Keerthi Sri Dhammarathana Pragnatissa’. 

Ananda Nayake Thera was the former Assistant Principal of Ananda College Colombo. He also held the title of Chief Incumbent at the following institutes: Havelock Town ‘Sama’ Vihara, Beruwewala Sri Saugatharama Purana Vihara, Ellewela Sri Ashwattarama Viharaya and Denagama Sri Munasingharamaya 
Ananda Nayake Thera’s appointment will be presented to him by Most Ven Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangalabhidana Mahanayake Thera of Malwatte Chapter on March 6 (Sunday) at Malwatte Viharaya in Kandy.  

Ananda Nayake Thera’s life as a monk spans more than five decades and he has been engaged in various religious and social development projects as a Dhamma preacher and prolific writer.   

Ananda Nayake Thera received his ordination as a novice in 1973. Afterwards he read for his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Peradeniya and a Masters’ at the University of Kelaniya before he followed the Post Education Diploma at the University of Colombo. 

He also served the Sri Bodhiraja Daham school at Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya as the Principal for more than 25 years.  

He is the son of Karunadasa Atapattu and Dona Hinnihamine Atapattu of Hakmana.

A reception and the felicitation ceremony have been organised for the newly-appointed Adikarana Sanghanayake Thera at the BMICH on March 20 which will be presided by Mahanayake and Anunayake Theras with the participation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Plans have been made for the customary presentation of the parchment and the Vijinipatha  (traditional fan) on this day.