Ven. Matale Dhammakusala conferred with title

Matale in the hill country has its prominent place firmly embedded in the History of Sri Lanka. The legendary King Ravana had ruled the country from Laggala in Matale. King Valagamba is supposed to have reinforced himself in the then Matale Jungles and organised forces to drive-out the South Indian invaders at the time Kalawewa and Minneriya weva was supplied with water from the Matale hills to facilitate the expansion and irrigation of the Anuradhapura Kingdom.

One of the most prominent incidents that took place at Aluvihare in Matale is the translation of 'Tripitaka' into Pali from oral tradition and presented by Ola leaves in book form.

Matale too had its own rebellion in 1848. The rebellions led by Gongalegoda Banda and Weera Puran Appu was the first major struggles of the commoners in our country.

National leaders of various causes who laid their lives like Kudapola Rahula Thera during the 1848 Matale Rebellion, William Gopallawa, the first Buddhist Governor General of Sri Lanka, the first Buddhist IGP, Sir Richard Aluvihare, the first Buddhist Army Commander Richard Udugama hailed from Matale.

The cultural heritage Matale held always figured in the forefront. Several Mahanayakas, Anunanayakas and great scholarly monks emerged from Matale. Matale Sasanthilaka Thera who led from the front in many social and political activities set up in many temples throughout the country.

An Anunayake of Rammana Nikaya among the others ordained Matale Dhammakusala Thera who is also the Anunayaka of Ramanna Nikaya in the present era, is the incumbent of Sri Wickramaramaya in Mattakkuliya.

The services he rendered to Buddhism and the society is larger than life. Matale Dhammakusala Thera was born on April 18, 1941 at Ranthatiyegedera, Matale. His father was Angurukuburegedara Punchibanda Nilame and his mother was Ranthatiyegedera Bandaramenike.

At the inspiration of Matale Sasanathilaka Thera he joined the Sasana at the age of ten as a pupil of Matale Sasanathilaka and Matale Siri Dhammissara Nayaka Theras. He was ordained as a Buddhist priest on 6th September, 1951.

Having his secondary education at Vidyasekera Pirivena in Kumbiyangoda, Matale in 1956 he joined the Sri Lanka Vidyalaya which was a university affiliated pirivena and thus came under the influence of the Pirivenadhipathy Ven. Baddegama Wimalawansa Thera.

This is the era of high political activity for the Maha Sangha and in 1956 Baddegama Wimalawansa Thera and Matale Sasanathilaka Thera was in the forefront of the campaign for the 'MEP' and the young thera was moved by their patriotic involvement.

Entering the Vidyodaya University in 1961 Matale Dhammakusala Thera graduated in 1964. In 1967 he passed the Rajakeeya Panditha examination. In recognition of his academic achievement he was appointed to the staff at Sri Lanka Pirivena in 1963, while he was an undergraduate.

He was appointed the Pirivenadhipathy in 1990 and served well till he retired in 1998. His dedication to the Ramanna Nikaya was rewarded and in 1980 he was appointed to the Palaka Sabawa.

Exemplary knowledge in Dhamma Vinaya paved his way to be appointed as Anu Vijjaka in the same year and later became the Senior Vijjaka of the Ramanna Nikaya. He was appointed as the Assistant Lekhakadhikari in 1999 and became the Lekhakadhikari of the Ramanna Nikaya in the year 2001.

He is a well reserved public speaker who could touch the essence of the matter very well. He has authored several books like 'Ramanna Wamsaya, Dhammakusala Desana' and a poetry work 'Sarasavi Giya Podi Saduta'.

In 1985 Matale Dhammakusala Thera became the Viharadhipathi of Sri Wickramaramaya in Mattakkuliya, Colombo. He established 'Gamini Daham Pasala' and the 'Sri Wicum Montessory School' and also organised 'The Anyonyadara Samithiya' for the welfare of the residents. Though he was based in Colombo 1998, he established 'Dhammasiddi Daham Pasala' in Purijjala in Matale.

He also opened the 'Sri Sanghabodhi Pirivena and built a chaitya, a thorana and a Sanghawasa and made the pirivena self contained unit. Recently Mahinda Bhikku Padanama has selected ten outstanding bhikkus in the country.

Matale Dhammakusala was conferred the title 'Vidyabhiwardhana Shiromani' at a ceremony presided over by Madihe Pannasinghe Maha Nayaka Thera.

The achievement of Matale Dhammakusala Thera is too numerous to note. His dedication and commitment to the Budda Sasana is continuing tirelessly. Once Ven. Maduluwave Sobhitha Thera observed, for a Bhikku aged 60 is the starting point of erudition well said and how true it is.

(Courtesy: W. T. A. Leslie Fernando and his book 'Being Close To Them Among Some Eminent Personalities)