A patriarch of the Maha Sangha - President | Daily News
CONDOLENCE message:

A patriarch of the Maha Sangha - President

Most Venerable, Aggamaha Panditha Napane Pemasiri Mahanayake Thera had been a patriarch of the Maha Sangha and a symbol of the meaningful depiction of the teachings of the Buddha, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.

In a Condolence Message on the demise of Most Ven. Napane Pemasiri Mahanayake Thera, the President said the passing away of the Mahanayaka Thera was not only a loss to the nation, but to Buddhists all over the world.

“I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of the Most Venerable, Aggamaha Panditha

Napane Pemasiri Mahanayaka Thero of the Ramanna Nikaya. He spent his entire life as a monk to provide a most compassionate service to the people. The Maha Nayaka Thero, during his visits to villages preaching Dhamma, not only strived to spiritually awaken the laymen, but also inquired into their social issues and dedicated himself to address them as well.

“Most Venerable, Aggamaha Panditha Napane Pemasiri Mahanayaka Thera’s service to prosper and propagate Buddha Sasana received both local and global recognition and he was accorded with the title of ‘Aggamaha Pandit’, the supreme accolade presented for reputed Theras across the globe by the government of Myanmar. The Mahanayake Thera, who accepted all these accolades and honours with a heart full of “Metta” as professed in Buddhist philosophy and continued to maintain a simple lifestyle.

“I wish to gratefully recall that the advice given to me by the Most Venerable, Aggamaha Panditha Napane Pemasiri Mahanayaka Thera was of immense value in successful formulation of state policies regarding religious matters.

“The service, Most Venerable, Aggamaha Panditha Napane Pemasiri Mahanayaka Thera rendered for his country, nation and religion is unparalleled,” the President said in his condolence message.