Ven. Horathapola Palitha Thera rendered enormous services to religious amity

Erudite prelate, controversial author and forceful speaker

by W.T.A. Leslie Fernando

Ven. Horathapola Palitha Thera, the founder and former Viharadhipati of Aryabhodi Vihara passed away on January 05, 2008 after a prolonged illness. A dynamic and outspoken Buddhist prelate he has made a distinct imprint on the religious, cultural and social life in our country. In fact at his cremation that took place at the Udubaddawa public playground on January 9, 2008, a message of condolence from H.E. the President Mahinda Rajapaksa was read by Ven. Watinapaha Somananda Thera.

Ven. Horathapola Palitha Thera was born on February 19, 1935 at Horathapola in Katugampola Korale in the Kurunegala District. He had his early education at Walpitagama Roman Catholic School. He entered Sasana at the age of 09 and was ordained a Samanera or Novice on November 22, 1944. His preceptors were Ven. Yatagama Sri Gnanakansa Thera and Ven. Walagama Sri Gnanawimala Thera.

After his formal monastic education at Nadalagamuwa Pirivena and several other Pirivenas he studied for university entrance at Sri Lanka Vidyalaya, Colombo. He entered Vidyodaya University in 1962 and passed out a graduate in 1965.

From 1965 to 1968 Horathapola Palitha Thera served as a temporary teacher and then as the librarian at Sri Lanka College (Pirivena). Later he served in several other institutions and in 1976 joined the government service as a teacher in Beramuda Vidyalaya in the Badulla District. In 1986 he prematurely retired as a teacher in Dhammananda Maha Vidyalaya, Udubaddawa.

In the meantime in 1984, he set up the Aryabhodi Vihara at Udubaddawa. He developed it in a short time to become a prominent religious centre in the area. Situated in beautiful surroundings amidst greenery it is popularly known as the 'Thailand Temple' as it has a Thailand style Buddhist statue and a viharaya. Many could find solace in this temple away from the vexations of daily life. However Horathapola Palitha Thera is better known for his political activities. He joined the MEP in 1960. Since then in victory and in defeat, in good times and in bad times he had been loyal to the MEP. He was one of those who maintained the continuity of the MEP when Philip Gunawardena lost the Avissawella seat in 1970 and he passed away in 1972.

Horathapola Palitha Thera was a forceful speaker and able organiser. He was a well-known journalist whose writings have adorned many journals. He has also made his mark as a renowned author of several outstanding works.

'Jathiye Navodaya' a felicitation volume on Philip Gunawardena compiled by Ven. Horathapola Palitha Thera in 1969 was the first of its kind presented on a politician. His work 'Wathman Bhikku Parapura' was severely criticised as an attack on the higher ranks of the Sangha. Nevertheless Ven. Dr. Walpola Rahula Thera commended him for fearlessly expressing his views.

It was Ven. Horathapola Palitha Thera who edited and presented the book 'Seethavaka Urumaya' on the facts and material provided by Philip Gunawardena. When the book was posthumously released in 1973 after the death of Philip Gunawardena, Prof. Tikiri Abeysinghe, the historian remarked "Philip Gunawardena dealing with history has done a better service than historians dealing with politics."

Ven. Horathapola Palitha Thera released his autobiography titled 'Jeevithayaka Udanaya' on November 22, 1994 for his golden jubilee as a Buddhist monk. It deals with his successes and failures and what he achieved against many odds.

His magnum opus was 'Saraswathie Vihara Wansaya' dealing with the history of the Ramanna Nikaya and more particularly of Balagalla Saraswathi sect to which he belonged. In 1997 this volume was carried in the back of an elephant and released at a grand ceremony at Saraswathie Pirivena Divulapitiya, presided over by Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike the then Prime Minister.

I came to know Ven. Horathapola Palitha Thera in 1977 when he organised a felicitation ceremony for my father Warnakulasuriya Santiago Fernando (1904-91) who was a renowned Catholic. On that occasion the biography of Santiago Fernando written by Horathapola Palitha Thera too was released.

To my knowledge this was the first occasion where the dignitaries of different religious and representatives of various political parties appeared in a common platform in Negombo. At that time Santiago Fernando was the President of the MEP but in that ceremony more emphasis was placed on his religious, cultural and social activities. Although the function was held at Bauddha Mandiraya, Negombo, it had a Catholic background with hymns sung in between.

Horathapola Palitha Thera never mixed politics with his other activities. As a teacher he never carried his political convictions to the classroom. He never used his political influence for personal gain. He was able to get the co-operation of all the people in the vicinity for religious activities of Aryabhodi Vihara, Udubaddawa irrespective of their political affiliations.

Ven. Palitha Thera dedicated all his energy, time and talents for the betterment of mankind. With all his religious, social, literary and political activities, he could somehow or other find the time to visit the sick and aged monks in the area and console them.

Throughout his life, Horathapola Palitha Thera was hampered by various sicknesses. For most of his life he neither had a permanent abode nor other resources. There was no dayaka sabha for his temple. He achieved everything by sheer determination, indomitable courage and perseverance.

It was my honour and privilege to have been close to Ven. Horathapola Palitha Thera.

(The writer is a former High Court Judge and Vice President of Newman Society Alumni Association.)