13th Death Anniversary of Parakrama Ranasinha

Photographs by Tissa Madawela
13th Death Anniversary of Parakrama Ranasinha

Family and friends commemorated the late Parakrama Ranasinhe's 13th death anniversary on the 11th October with a Sangika Dana Pinkama held at the Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre, Kingsbury, North London.

Head of the Vihara, Chief Sanghanayaka of Great Britain Aggamaha Pandita Most Ven. Galayaye Piyadassi Nayake Thera and several resident monks attended the Pinkama. Parakrama was a highly respected solicitor who ran his own law firm from North West London. He was well known for his kindness and generosity in helping a vast number of Sri Lankans who have come to him for advice and assistance. During his time as the President of the SLFP Branch in the UK Parakrama worked tirelessly restructuring the branch, did an exemplary job and remained as its President until his untimely death 13 years ago The large gathering included Parakrama's family, friends and the President and members of the SLFP UK branch.

Ven. Dr. Handupelpola Mahinda Nayaka Thera gave an Anusaasana in which he said, "for a wife to remember her husband and children to remember their father is a very rewarding quality for anyone. The Buddha said, "I declare that one can never repay two people, namely mother and father. Even if one establishes one's parents in supreme authority, in the absolute supremacy over all the world…. even then one could not repay them. Why so? The reason is that parents do much for their children; they give life to them, nourish and bring them up, and introduce them to the world."

So for Mrs. Manel Ranasinhe, her son Thushara, daughter in law Shiromani and the children as well as all the friends to organise a remembrance Dana Pinkama is itself a great meritorious deed."
Ven. Nepale Sumana Thera delivered a sermon in English and said, "there are some children who forget the amount of affection and care their parents have lavished upon them. Parental love is always greater than filial love. One cannot expect children or babies to be grateful or dutiful as they are still immature, but it is very important that when they grow up they remember and are grateful for everything their parents have done for them.

In the Anguttara Nikaya the Buddha describes, with sacrificial terminology, three types of fires that should be tended with care and honour. They are Ahuneyyaggi, Gahapataggi and Dakkhineyyaggi. The Buddha explained that Ahuneyyaggi means one's parents, and they should be honoured and cared for. Gahapataggi means one's wife and children, employees and dependents.

Dakkineyyaggi represents religious persons who have either attained the goal of Arahantship or have embarked on a course of training for the elimination of negative mental traits. According to the Maha-mangala Sutta, offering hospitality to one's relatives is one of the great auspicious deeds a layperson can perform. Pan Wedima was performed to pass merits to the late Parakrama Ranasinha.