President confers ‘Sannas Pathraya’ to new Mahanayaka Thero of Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya

• Appoints Most Ven. Karagoda Uyangoda Maithrimurthi Thero in recognition of six decades of enormous service
• President emphasises role of Maha Sangha in restoring a morally upright society
• Stresses economic and political victories are meaningless without a just and virtuous society
• Calls for a national dialogue on moral and spiritual restoration based on Buddhist teachings
• Mentions ongoing discussions on the Buddhist Dialogue Act and amendments to Viharagam and Dewalagam Ordinance
• Says proposed amendments aim to formally establish the Sangha Council with necessary authority

The State ceremony to present the ‘Sannas Pathraya’ to the Incumbent of the Balangoda Sri Dharmananda Vidyayathana Pirivena and the Mahanayake of the Rassagala Vihara Parsava, Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithrimurthi Thero, who was conferred the post of the Mahanayaka of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya (Chapter), was held yesterday (10) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The President presented the ‘Sri Sannas Pathraya’ to the newly appointed Mahanayaka Thero of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, held according to the ancient rituals and Maha Vihara traditions.

Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi also offered the ‘Vijinipata’ (the hand fan) to the Mahanayaka Thero.

Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithree Moorthi MahaNayaka Thero was born on 1 October 1948, in Kamburupitiya, Matara, and entered the noble monastic life in 1962 under the guidance of Aggamaha Pandita Balangoda Ananda Maithriya Thero. 

In recognition of his over six decades of dedicated service to Buddhism, religion, society, and education, the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya has appointed him as the new Mahanayaka Thero.

Addressing the ceremony, President Dissanayake states that in the process of restoring a morally upright nation, the Maha Sangha and religious institutions of this country bear an irreplaceable and profound responsibility.

The President further emphasised that no matter how many economic and political victories are achieved, they would be meaningless if a just and virtuous society is not established.

He also highlighted that the restoration of the nation’s fractured society cannot be achieved through law alone and stressed the need to build a compassionate society. 

Dissanayake further stated that the country urgently requires a strong national dialogue on the essence of liberation, as preached by the Buddha and other religious leaders, for the well-being of its citizens.

The President also mentioned that discussions are currently underway with the Mahanayaka Theros regarding the Buddhist Dialogue Act. 

He further noted that amendments to Sections 41 and 42 of the Viharagam and Dewalagam Ordinance have been drafted, and steps will be taken to present them to the Cabinet soon. Once approved, they will be submitted to the Parliament for enactment, ensuring the formal establishment of the Sangha Council and granting the necessary authority to the Mahanayaka Theros and the Sangha Sabha.

During the ceremony, commemorative publications, including the biography of the Mahanayaka Thero, were also presented to President Dissanayake.

The event was attended by the Maha Sangha representing the tri-Nikaya (three Chapters), former Presidents and Prime Ministers, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Ministers, MPs, foreign envoys, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Government officials, members of ‘Dayaka Sabha’, and a large gathering of devotees.