Narampanawe Ananda Maha Thera is new Anunayaka Of Asgiriya Maha Viharaya

The title of Siyamopali Maha Nikaya, was established by very Ven. Welivitiye Sri Sangharaja Maha Thera, during the reign of King Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe in 1765.  

The presentation of the “Akta Patra” to Ven. Narampanawe Ananda, the New Anunayake Thera, of the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya will take place at the historic audience on October 3, 2025. In accordance with the traditional practice, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Head of State, will perform the Act of Appointment.  

Earlier, the Siyamopali Maha Viharaya Asgiriya Chapter Karaka Sangha Sabba, at a ceremonial session held under the patronage of Most Ven. Warakagoda Dhammasiddhi, the Asgiriya Maha Nayaka Thera, unanimously elected Ven. Narampanawe Ananda Ven to the vacant joint Anunayaka post.  Ven. Wendaruwe Upali and Ven. Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Theras had held this post.  Following the demise of Dhammadassi Thera, the post became vacant.  

The title of Siyamopali Maha Nikaya, was established by very Ven. Welivitiye Sri Sangharaja Maha Thera, during the reign of King Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe in 1765.  The Nikaya comprised two chapters, as Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters.  

There upon the two chapters became the custodians to administer the services and duties towards the sacred Tooth Relic of the Gautama Sri Samma Sambuddha at the Temple of Tooth and the Historic Kandy Easala Perahera, along with the lay custodian (Diyawadana Nilame). 

The New Anunayaka, the erudite prelate, with post graduate academic qualifications, has immensely contributed to uplift the standard of Asgiriya Maha Pirivena for over 34 years and educate the novice monks.  He had also functioned as the Deputy Secretary of the Asgiriya Karaka Sangha Sabha. Ven. Naranpanawe Ananda Thera is an exemplary pupil of Late Haliela Sumanatissa Maha Thera.   

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