ANNUAL MEMORIAL CEREMONY FOR VEN. DR HAMMALAWA SADDHATISSA NAYAKA THERO

Aggaamahapandita Venerable Galayaye Piyadassi, MBE, Head of the Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre and Chief Sangha Nayaka and Adhikarana Sangha Nayaka of the UK organised ceremonies at the SSIBC on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February 2015 to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the passing away of the erudite and missionary Bhikku, Ven. Hammalawa Saddhatissa Nayaka Thero.The programme commenced with the Buddha Pujava at 7.00 PM on Saturday 14th and the All nigh Pirith Chanting Ceremony at 8.00PM and the Sanghika Heel Dana on the morning of Sunday 15th February.

Ven. Galayaye Piyadassi Sangha Nayaka Thero welcomed the gathering and briefly stated the importance of Ven. Hammalawa Saddhatissa in the establishment of Buddhism in this country and especially the London Buddhist Vihare, and then introduced the visiting and participating monks - Ven.( Dr ) Murungasyaye Gnanissara , Chief Incumbent of the Jethavana Maha Viharaya in Paris and Chief Sangha Nayaka of France; Ven. Tawalama Bandula Thero and Ven. Konwewe Aryaratne Thero of the London Buddhist Vihare; Ven. Makure Mangala Thero ande Ven (Dr) Kabalewe Sirisumuna Nayaka Thero of the East Ham Lumbini Vihare; Ven. Vitiyala Indasiri Thero Ven. Rotumbha Nandarama Thero of the Birmingham Buddhist Maha Vihare; Ven. Mapalagama Soratha Thero and Ven. Tissapura Sugathasiri Thero of the Birmingham Jethavana Buddhist Temple,; Ven. Matugama Palitha Thero and Ven. Suriyawewa Kusala Thero; Ven.Akurala Samitha Thero of the Letchworth Dhammaniketanaya ; Ven. Uluwitake Bodhiseeka Thero of the Kacchuwatte Purana Viharaya in Galle, Sri Lanka and the resident monks of the SSIBC, Ven. (Dr) Handu Pelpola Mahinda Nayaka Thero; Ven. Batuwangala Udithadewa Thero, Ven. Nagala Upananda Thero, Ven. Nepale Sumana Thero, Ven. Nepale Tissa Thero, Ven. Galayaye Dhammadassi Thero.

Mr Chandra Monerawela on behalf of the devotees extended the invitation to the Maha Sangha for the Pirith Chanting, by offering the traditional tray of betel to Ven. Dr HanduPelpola Mahinda Nayaka Thro.Before the Pirith chanting Ven. Tawalama Bandula Thero of the London Buddhist Vihare administered the five precepts. Venerable Dr Murungasyaye Gnanissara Nayaka , Head of the Jethavana Buddhist Vihare in Paris and Chief Adhikarana Sangha Nayaka of France delivered the Anusasanawa, Ven. Matugama Palitha Therro performed the Deva Aradhanava , Ven. (Dr) Kebelewe Sirisumana Thero Recited the pirith invitation gatha. Ven. Nagala Upananda Thero led the pirith chanting.

Among the distinguished guests were the Actg. High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Dr Chanaka Talpahewa and Mrs Talpahewa, Minister/ Counsellor B.N. Pathirartne and (Dr) Mrs Pathiratne and other High Commission, Bank of Ceylon and Sri Lankan Airlines officials.The Sanghika Heel Dana took place at 7.00 AM on Sunday 15th February followed by the Pan Vadima in which Venerable Hammalawa Saddhatissa Nayaka Thero’s relatives, Mr and Mrs Nimal Bannahaka also participated. A large gathering of devotees participated in the event.