Asgiri Anunayake Thera passes away

By Shane Seneviratne 

The Anunayake of the Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Anamaduwa Dammadassi Thera has passed away.   

Ven. Anunayake Thera had been the Chief Incumbent of the Historic Ethkanda Rajamaha Vihara in Kurunegala, a Senior Lecturer of Anuradhapura Sri Lanka Bhikkhu University and held the position of Mahopadyaya of the Asgiriya Chapter as well.  

Dayaka Sabha of the Asgiriya Chapter announced that the cremation of the Late Ven. Thera will take place at 2.30 pm on July 24 under state patronage at Asgiriya Police playground.   

The remains of the Ven. Thera are lying at Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Memorial Hall of the Asgiriya Chapter for the public to pay their last respects.   

Several schools in Kandy will be closed at 12.00 noon in view of the cremation.   

The funeral arrangements were decided on at a meeting attended by Anunayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Vendaruwe Upali Thera, Lekakadhikari Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera, Deputy Lekakadhikari Ven. Narampanawe Ananda Thera, Deputy Minister of Buddha Sasana and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake, District Secretary Indika Udawatta, Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, Basnayake Nilames of the four Devalas, Mayor Chandrasiri Wijenayake and Municipal Commissioner Indika Kumari Abeysinghe.