A very strange transition

From top military brass to Buddhist Order:

by Premasara Epasinghe

The great chronicle Mahavamsa - in Chapter 23 reveals the military achievements of the ten giants (Dasamaha yodhayas) or military commanders of the victorious King Dutugemunus (383-407 B.C) Army. They were Nandimitra, Suranimala, Mahasona, Velusumana, Kanchdeva, Pussadeva, Labiyavasabha, Gotaimbara, Bharana and Theraputtabhaya.

After uniting the kingdom of Lanka, under one canopy, Great King Dutugemunu decided to offer very high state positions to his ten military commanders, who helped him in the battle against King Elara (339-383 B.C). Out of them, Theraputtabhaya, politely refused to accept any state positions or honour and informed king Dutugemunu that his only ambition was to enter the Buddhist Order and to fight against the Samsara.

Theraputtabhaya, entered the Order. His entry as a Buddhist monk was an outstanding achievement as recorded in the Mahavamsa.After Theraputtabhaya centuries later in the modern history of Sri Lanka Army, it was Ananda Weerasekera, who entered the Buddhist Order on Vesak Full Moon Day as Buddangala Ananda at the Forest Hermitage (Arannaya Senasena), Buddangala in Ampara.

His renunciation of ownership or worldly possessions reminds us of the stanza in Dhammapada (Magga Vagga) the Way of the Path - which may have influenced Ananda to join the Buddhist Order.

Sabbe Sankhara anicca'ti - yada pannaya passati

Atha nibbindati dukkahe - esa maggo Visuddhiya

(Dhammapada - 277)

He who realises that all conditioned things change will be passive in pain. This itself will lead him to Purityo.

Way back in the late 1950's the two of us used to meet at the playing field of Nalanda, and we were close friends. I was the wicket-keeper cum opening batsman in 1957.

Ananda was the Goal-Keeper. He was a brilliant custodian and captained Nalanda soccer team with distinction. Later, he represented Sri Lanka and won the national colours. During our schooldays, we were mischievous, full of life. We were disciplined and we respected our teachers and the elders. We were woven round the Buddhist way of life at Nalanda - the Crest Jewel of Buddhist education in Sri Lanka.

Ananda Weerasekera was born on April 29, 1943. His parents, Mendis and Sumana Weerasekera were blessed with six children, Ananda, Mallika, Donald, Sarath, Sujatha and Shanthi.

I still remember how he explained and related the way he guarded the Sacred Bo Tree at Anuradhapura during the time he was the Commanding Officer of the North Central Province." Epa, we got news that terrorists were planning an attack on Bo-tree.

I personally guarded the Jaya Srimaha Bodhiya and stayed but at the Udamaluwa, day and night for a couple of days. My troops were round the sacred Bodhi premises. I was prepared to sacrifice my life to save the Bo-Tree.

They never attacked during my period. I am very happy that I guarded Lord Buddha," stated Ananda Weerasekera.

Even in school he was spiritually bent. He used to meditate and read Buddhist Literature widely. Further, he used to deliver lectures on Buddhism at various fora.

When Ananda joined the Sri Lanka Army only a handful of officers were recruited to the Forces from Ananda, Nalanda, Dharmaraja, Mahinda, Dharmapala, Dharmasoka, Maliyadeva, Rahula et al, labelled as "Olcott Schools".

He was a complete, versatile allround student. Added to his national colours in football, he was also an outstanding Cadet, under C. G. P. Patiraja and Stanley Munasinghe, who were the leading lights of the Cadet Corp at that time. He was a prefect and a member of the debating team. Military life and Buddhist philosophy are poles apart. But, here is a man, who linked them together in modern life. Although a soldier, Metta and Kindness flowed from his heart.

His name will go down in military history of Sri Lanka as one who had contributed a lot to safeguard the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Motherland.

He served as the Rehabilitation Commissioner, and later as a Deputy Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services. Ananda was a dutiful father. His beloved wife the late Sita, was the wind behind his wings. Her demise was a great blow to him and his family. Ananda and Sita gave to the society, three children, Suraj, a pilot, Manoj and Kanchana, two doctors.

He was also a fatherly figure to his brother Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera. The latter also followed the footsteps of his brother, and served the country as a top-ranking Navy officer. Sarath, a distinguished Old Anandian is also a Buddhist scholar. Ananda Weerasekera is undoubtedly an ornament to Nalanda. He is one of the most outstanding Nalandians produced by the College. He is a man of integrity.

There were many Buddhist monks produced by Nalanda. Among them were the internationally reputed missionary the late Ven. Piyadassi of Vajiraramaya, Bambalapitiya and Kuppiyawatte Bodananda, who resides in Pelmadulla and Ven. Bodananda there who runs rehabilitation centres for drug addicts.

On Full Moon Poya Day, 1st May 2007, Major General Ananda Weerasekera entered the Buddhist Order, under Kalutara Dhammananda Nayaka Thera, as teacher at Buddangala Forest Hermitage (Aranya Senasana) as Buddangala Ananda in the Ampara District, where, he at one time served as one of the military commanders.