Pointing out that he was dedicated to the well-being of all people who acted irrespective of caste and religion, the President said that protecting the religious community center called Gangarama Viharai is the highest honor we do to him.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe mentioned this while attending the funeral of Kalapoda Gnanissara Nayak Thera of Hunupiti Gangarama Viharai.
Thera’s body was cremated with full royal honors yesterday (5) afternoon at the Gangarama Viharai complex.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe who continued to address here,
“40 years ago, Bodi Hamuduru and I organized the funeral of Vasiessara Nayaka Thera. But today I have come to attend Annar’s funeral. Today I join this event as the President of the country and a member of this temple council. I have many connections with Gangarama Vihara.
I have known Devundara Vassissara Nayak since childhood. At that time I met our Podi Hamuduruva. I had a close relationship with him. He gave me great support and advice when I was fielded as a candidate for the Beyagama constituency.
He once told me that a berahara should be held in Colombo. President JR We started those activities after discussions with Jayawardena and Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa. Today Navam Perahara has become the main Perahara in this country. It is because of the boundless dedication of our Podi Hamuduruva.
Also, he was very involved in helping the underprivileged vicars. We have him to thank for that. He maintained contacts with Buddhist countries of the world. Contacts were established with Bhutan, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Korea, Japan.
He started vocational training centers for youth from poor families in the area. Through this he not only imparted vocational training to the youth but also helped the companies to hire them. He also contributed to many activities of the society. He built houses for poor people.
And he served regardless of caste and creed. During the 1983 riots, food could not be taken to the refugee camps. But he volunteered to load the relief items on trucks and take steps to distribute them.
He also played a major role in political affairs. JR He worked closely with Jayawardene, Ranasinghe Premadasa, Mahinda Rajapaksa and myself. “When people have a problem, people go to Annan to discuss it with the President or the Prime Minister,” the President said.
Maha Sangha members, religious leaders, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker Mahinda Yappa Abeywardhana, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa, Former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Former Ministers, Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Prime Minister’s Secretary Anura A large number of government officials including Dissanayake, ambassadors, local and foreign devotees attended.
