Passing away of Most Ven. Galagama Aththadassi Mahanayake Thera:

Condolence Messages

Disciplined and erudite - President

The sudden demise of Chief Prelate of the Asgiri chapter of the Shyamapli Nikaye, the Most Ven. Galagama Sri Aththadassi Thera is a matter for deepest sorrow. It is also a colossal loss not only to the people of Sri Lanka, but also to the Buddhists the world over, President Maithripala Sirisena stated in a condolence message to mark the passing away of Most Ven. Galagama Aththadassi Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter.

The message: " Ven. Aththadassi Thera was a Buddhist monk who beautified the Sanga Sasana who qualified the Buddha’s depiction of 'Eloquent, disciplined and a erudite monk with a comprehensive knowledge about the Dhamma illuminates the Sasana'.

Ven. Galagama Sri Aththadassi Thera who had a great quality to address all the people who came to him, with a heart of loving kindness, thus living up to the Buddhist social concepts, was meritorious to be a prominent custodian of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, which is the most sacrosanct relic of worship of the entire Buddhist world.

Even though, our Mahanayake Thera was conferred with a title, which the whole world respected, he never changed his humble behaviour towards the people. The Mahanayake Thera, who was fluent in Sinhala, Tamil, Pali and Sanskrit languages, used his broad knowledge and abundant communication skills to spread Buddhism around the world.

May the Most Venerable Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Shyamapoli Nikaye, Galagama Sri Aththadassi Thera, who spent his life to render the most valued and selfless service to the Buddha Shasana attain the ultimate bliss of Nibbana."

Prime Minister

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s message of condolence on the demise of the Most. Ven. Galagama Attadassi Maha Nayake of the Asgiriya Chapter

“I was saddened at the news of Asgiriya Chapter Chief Prelate, the Most Ven. Galagama Attadassi Maha Nayake Thera’s sudden demise. He was the 21st Maha Nayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter.

Born on January 11, 1922, he had his primary education at the Veera Parakramabahu Maha Vidyalaya, Matale and entered the order in 1936. Equally proficient in Pali, Sanskrit, Sinhala and Tamil, the Ven. Mahanayake Thera was conferred the titles – Saddharmacharya, Abhidharmacharya, Tripitakacharya, Majjima Bhanaka. Having served as a teacher for 14 years, he had gifted generations of students both the clergy and the laity to the country. He received higher ordination in 1942 and held several positions before being appointed Asgiri Vihara Anunayake and Mahanayake Thera in 2015.

During the 80 years of his bhikkhu life he rendered yeomen service to both the Sasana and the country. The Maha Nayake Thera took an unbiased view on the proposed Kathikawatha Bill. He also endorsed the social and political change which followed the advent of the new government and discussed the steps to be taken in the larger interests of the Sasana and the country. The strength and courage I received from his excellent advice on my political journey is commendable.

May the Most Ven. Mahanayake Attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.

Ven. Thirikunamale Ananda Nayake Thera

Message of condolence by Ven. Thirikunamale Ananda Nayake Thera and Prof. Ven. Agalakada Sirisumana Thera – Joint Secretaries of the Buddhasasana Karya Sadaka Mandalaya

The Buddhasasana Karya Sadaka Mandalaya expresses its deepest condolences over the demise of Most Ven. Galagama Attadassi Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter.

Patron of our organisation, the Ven. Mahanayake extended his unbridled patronage to all religious, national and social activities launched by us. He lived a simple and exemplary life endowed with lofty qualities.

May the most Ven. Maha Nayake attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference

Message from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka

“It is with great sorrow that we learnt of the passing away of the Most Venerable Galagama Attadassi Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter. “The Venerable prelate has rendered a great service to the nation by his committed leadership, in matters of national importance.

“We also appreciate deeply the contribution the Venerable Mahanayake Thera made towards fostering inter-religious harmony in our country. We offer our condolences to the Venerable Anunayaka Theras and the venerable members of the Asgiriya Chapter as well as the entire Buddhist brethren of Sri Lanka on the sad occasion.”

CP Chief Minister

Message of condolence by Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake

The sudden demise of the Most Ven. Galagama Attadassi Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter is a great loss to the country. He was the 21st Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter. Born in 1922 to Kulatunga Mudiyanselage Tikiri Banda Nilame and Tennekoon Mudiyanselage Kumarihamy, the Ven. Mahanayake had his primary education at Veera Parakramabahu Maha Vidyalaya.

He entered the order under the tutelage of Ven. Udurawana Dhammananda Thera, Viharadhipathi, Urulewatthe Purana Vihara. As a novice he studied Pali, Sanskrit and Sinhala from the famous Dharmaraja Pirivena, Matale and received higher ordination in 1942.He was conferred the titles Rajakeeya Panditha from Vidyodaya Pirivena and Sasana Sobana from the Vidyalankara Maha Pirivena. The most Ven. Maha Nayake Thera lived a simple life dedicated to social service.

May the Most Ven. Maha Nayake attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.