Dr. Milina -- the philanthropist who led a Buddhist revival

Born in Colombo on May 25, 1935, Dr. Milina studied at Kotahena Central College, Colombo. Encouraged by her father’s business activities from a young age, she paved the way for a successful career in her life. Born into a family steeped in art, she showed a strong artistic talent from her school days. Her kind nature and maternal qualities came as a blessing to many

The late Dr. Milina Sumathipala was an outstanding woman who played a unique role in the religious, social and cultural fields of our country. Her 90th birth anniversary commemoration was held on May 28th at 2.30 pm at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall, Colombo. This commemoration was in recognition of her national religious and international Buddhist mission as the first President of the All Ceylon Buddhist Conference.

Born in Colombo on May 25, 1935, Dr. Milina studied at Kotahena Central College, Colombo. Encouraged by her father’s business activities from a young age, she paved the way for a successful career in her life. Born into a family steeped in art, and showed a strong artistic talent from her school days. Her kind nature and maternal qualities came as a blessing to many.

With the blessings of her parents, she married U. W. Sumathipala, an enthusiastic businessman, on May 11, 1956, and began a new chapter in her life. The union between Sumathipala and Milina became a great social investment for the future.

She was a woman who had a strong love for the cinema since childhood, having watched Kadawunu Poronduwa, the first feature film to be released in Sri Lanka, in 1947. Inspired, she went on to give the country’s cinema many excellent films such as Unnath Dahai Malath Dahai, Ahasin Polowata, and  Ganga Addara. Films like Duwata Mawaka Misa, Utpalawanna, and Patthini are also notable among her film productions.

It was a special moment when  Ahasin Polowata won the Agnetan Award for Best Third World Film at the 1978 Cairo International Film Festival in Egypt. The film Ganga Addara was also a film that was built on the hard work of Mrs. Milina Sumathipala. It was also a huge success and left an indelible mark on the audience. Also, the entire profit from the film Ganga Addara was donated to the work of the Colombo Neurosurgery Unit.

Facing challenges

The passing of U. W. Sumathipala on July 13, 1979, had a profound impact on Milina, who was then 44 years old. However, the way she patiently carried out the responsibilities of raising seven children and along with her social duties while moving forward in life was exemplary. It made her truly a mother courage. She paved the way for those children--  Sandhya, Ramani, Jagath, Anoja, Thilanga, Anusha, Shanika --  to stand on their own two feet and live as proud citizens of this  country.

She performed her duties and responsibilities for the country with great devotion. In memory of U. W. Sumathipala, the Neurological Treatment Ward of the Colombo National Hospital was fully constructed. It was provided with a badly  needed  MRI scanner. She provided financial assistance to the then President R. Premadasa for the construction of houses in Dambadiva, Bodh Gaya, and also performed a noble act of charity by carving the Damsak Pavethum Sutta on a stone at the Isipathanaramaya in Varanasi. The Sambuddhalakaya Viharaya and the pagoda in Colombo Fort were built. The work of rebuilding the Kotmale Maha Seya was also carried out with great devotion. The work done to raise the Agraphala Bodhi wall and the  statue in Punchi Borella too, are valuable contributions, as well as  contributions to the construction of the Wewurukannala Viharaya and the stone Buddha statue in Rambadagalle.

It was rare for her to participate in international Buddhist workshops and be honoured with an award from the World  Buddhist Conference. It is also worth mentioning that she has performed various charitable activities in India and has been involved in many charitable activities in the land where the Buddha was born.

Her mission as the first female President of the All Ceylon Buddhist Conference, a major centre of the Buddhist religious process in this country, is unique. The Buddhist economy was strengthened, monasteries and temples in remote areas were established, and social benefits given those deserving. In particular, the provision of rural economic welfare services, the uplifting of the people, and the implementation of Buddhist policies were prominently undertaken. Many believe that she was able to bring about a revolutionary change in the Buddhist Maha Sammelanaya (2000-2006) through such services performed under the Bouddhaloka Revival Project.

She also claimed the great merit of constructing and consecrating the newly constructed Ransivi Geya, which houses the Tooth Relic of the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. After the reign of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in the 19th century, the Ransivi Geya, which had not been renovated two centuries,  was built in the same style as the old one and dedicated to the Tooth Relic around 1990.

She also rendered valuable service by making various donations to villages, monasteries, temples, rural organisations, and poor villagers. Society can gratefully remember her  humane and supremely compassionate qualities. Although she passed away on December 26, 2016, the fragrance of her mission and virtues continues to spread. Mrs. Milina, who dedicated her life to the cause of the country for eighty-one years, was truly an exceptional woman. Her national mission continues to this day through the Bauddhaloka Foundation. May Mrs. Milina Sumathipala attain the bliss of Nirvana.