Englishman ordained at Vijeyananda temple

By D.G.Sugathapala   

A British national Gareth Thompson (58), entered the order  of Bhikkhus at Weliwatta Vijeyananda Pirivena temple by the name of Ven.  Englanthaye Buddhdasa Thera.   
He had been a teacher in England who often visited Sri  Lanka and had close relations with Vijeyananda Pirivena. During the  Tsunami disaster, he had implemented several relief programmes with the  Chief Incumbent of Viyeyananada temple Ven. Thawalama Siddhath.   
He entered the order under the tutelage of the Head of Vijeyananda Pirivena, Ven. Nakiyadeniye Gnannotthara Thera.   
It is of significance that the American national and  champion of the Buddhist revival Col. Henry Steel Olcott, embraced  Buddhism at Weliwatta Vejeyananda temple in 1880. He was the founder of  Vijeyananda Dhamma School, the first Buddhist Dhamma school in Sri  Lanka.   
Mahasangha, including Chief Incumbent of Vijeyananda Temple  Ven. Thawalama Siddhath Thera, and Retired Director of Pirivena  Education Ven. Hulandawe Soratha Thera were present at the occasion.