VEN. (Dr.) HAMMALAWA SADDHATISSA NAYAKA THERO’S ANNUAL COMMEMORATION CEREMONY
Aggamahapandita Venerable Galayaye Piyadassi Nayaka Thero, Head of the Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre and the Chief Sangha Nayaka of the UK, arranged a massive ceremony to mark the 26th commemoration of the passing away of Ven. (Dr.) Hammalawa Saddhatissa Nayaka Thero. An all-night Pirith Chanting ceremony was held on Saturday 27th February 2016 with over twenty monks from the UK and abroad participating. The Sanghika Dana was held at noon on Sunday 28th February.
The Sarvaratrika Paritrana Dharma Desanaya was held at 8.00 pm on Saturday 27th February 2016. After the introduction by Ven. Galayaye Piyadassi Sangha Nayaka Thero, the invitation to the Maha Sangha for the Pirith Chanting was extended by the Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, HE Sugeeshwara Gunaratne. The Anusasanawa in Sinhala was delivered by Ven. Murungagasyaye Gnanissara Nayaka Thero, Chief Sangha Nayaka of France and Head of the Jethavana Buddhist Vihara in Paris. The Anusasanava in English was delivered by Ven. (Dr.) Deegalle Mahinda Thero of the Bath Spa University. Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thero of the London Buddhist Vihara administered the Five Precepts.
The other participating Venerable monks were: Ven. Pidiville Piyatissa Nayaka Thero of the Manchester Ketumati Buddhist Vihara; Ven. Makure Mangala Nayaka Thero and Ven. Kaballewe Sirisumana Thero of the East Ham Lumbini Vihara; Ven. Dediyawala Wimala Nayaka Thero of the Letchworth Buddhist Vihara; Ven. Akurala Samitha Nayaka Thero of the Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya; Ven. Teldeniyaye Amitha Nayaka Thero of the Nottingham Buddhist Vihara; Ven. Mapalagama Soratha Thero of the Birmingham Jethavana Buddhist Vihara; Ven. Wanduramba Kassapa Nayaka Thero of the Hounslow Athula Dassana Buddhist Vihara; Ven. Ambantota Rathanasiri Thero of the Edmonton Buddhist Vihara.
The Venerable monks from Sri Lanka, Ven. (Dr.) Akuratiye Nanda Sangha Nayaka Thero of Western Province Sri Lanka and Director of the Maligakanda Vidyodaya Pirivena; Ven. Matale Wijewansha Nayaka Thero of the Anuradhapura Tapowana Vihara; Ven. Uluvitake Bodhiseeha Thero of the Katchiwatte Purana Vihara; Ven Nepal Pannaratana Thero; Ven. Kirama Gunawansa Nayaka Thero of the Jayasiri Maha Bo Maluwa; and the other incumbent monks of the Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre: Ven. (Dr.) Handupelpola Mahinda Nayaka Thero; Ven. Nagala Upananda Thero, Ven. Nepal Sumana Thero and Ven. Galayaye Dhammadassi Thero also participated in the ceremony.
An ornate Pirith Mandapaya was especially designed for this year's ceremony by the Master Craftsman Jayaratne Bandara, assisted by another specialist, Kumara Senanayake and their assistants. The audience was amazed by the creation.
Councillor Kareema Marikar, the London Borough of Harrow, also participated. Besides the Acting High Commissioner HE Sugeeshwara Gunaratne, the other participating members of the High Commission were Mr. Niranjan Pathiratne, Minister Administration and Consular Affairs; Mr Nimal Karunatilleke, Minister Economic Affairs; and Mr. Mano Warnapala, Counsellor, Education.
The devotees of the SSIBC organised the Heel Dana and the Sanghika Dana on Sunday 28th February successfully to also transfer merit to late Mr. Leelaratne Kariyawasam (Kapu Mahattaya) - 3 months memorial. The religious ceremonies were conducted by Ven. Dr. Akuratiye Nanda Nayaka Thero from Sri Lanka and Ven. Pidiville Piyatissa Nayaka Thero of Manchester Ketumati Vihara.
Aggamahapandita Ven. Galayaye Piyadassi, Nayaka Thero made use of this occasion to announce that after long last, building permission has been obtained for the Temple extension and work will start as soon as possible. The next time an event is held at the Temple, the devotees, hopefully, will have more space - a larger hall. He appealed to the devotees and well-wishers who have been generous in their contribution since the inception of the SSIBC to contribute generously.
The latest issue of Budumaga, sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. D. Ratnayaka, was printed for this occasion.
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