Panadura Gangula Dhamma School celebrates 75th anniversary

Students studying at the Panadura Gangula Dhamma School, which celebrates its 75th anniversary

Panadura Gangula Sri Gnanavimala Dhamma School, which is one of the leading religious institutions in the island, is celebrated its 75th anniversary on February 19, 2025. 

Ven. Tripitaka Visharadha Rajakeeya Panditha Naramane Sri Buddha Rakkhita, the last Yathivara to work in the Buddha Jayanthi Tripitaka Translation Board, started the Dhamma School on February 19, 1950.  The sixth anniversary commemoration of this venerated priest, who passed away on February 14, 2019, was also commemorated.

The Buddha Jayanti Tripitaka Translation Board was founded in 1956 by eminent monks such as the Most Ven. Aggamaha Panditha Balangoda Ananda Maithri Maha Nayaka. Some of the deep scriptures such as “Pattanapakaraná” and “Petakopadesaya” included in the Buddhist Tripitaka books were prepared by Ven. Buddha Rakkhita. In recognition of some of the contributions made by the venerable monk in the year 2019, the government awarded him with state honours at the ceremony organised in Matale to name the Tripitakaya as a national heritage.

The Gangula Dhamma School was the first Dhamma school in Sri Lanka to be opened separately for girls and boys; with sessions held on Saturdays and Sundays. It has won awards for many years as the best Dhamma school in Sri Lanka and this claim is supported by the annual Dhamma examination results. For many years, it won the honour of being the best Dhamma school in the Kalutara district and the Panadura division. Around 1700 children study there. 

Arunodaya Kumara Peramuna is the boys’ youth club of this institute. Vishakha Kumari Peramuna is the other association and it caters to young girls. These societies carry out many activities that teach children how to adapt to laws and regulations of the general society. Many years ago, the Sri Gnanavimala free English night school held in this temple also served a unique mission. Abhidharmacharya Pujya Panadure Dhammarakkhita Thera, who worked for the development of the Dhamma School, should also be remembered. Institutions including the Alumni Association, which provide many services to the society, are also great pillars of this Buddhist school. It must also be mentioned that this Dharmayatana has become a higher educational institution in Sri Lanka which was made possible by following the advice of Rajakeeya Pandita Thanthirimulle Sarana Nayaka Thera, Chief of Gangula Viharaya and Moratuwa Sri Jinendra Chaityaramaya.

A group of nearly one hundred teachers who work hard for the education of children serve here on both days of the weekend. Especially on the occasion of the Vajra Jayanti festival, tributes were paid to all those Dhamma teachers. All Dhamma teachers with more than 10 years of service were also honoured.