The passing away of Mahanayake of Sri Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Chief Incumbent of Kalapaluwa Sri Gotama Tapowanaya and its centers, Mahawihara Vamsalankara Sasana Vibhushan, Amarapura Ganapamokkhacharya, Kalyaniwamsa Keerthi Sri Vangeesawashalankara Vipassana Kammattanacharya, Mahamahopadhyaya, Aggamaha Pandita, Venerable Dodampahala Chandasiri Mahanayaka Thera who played an unparalleled role in uplifting Sri Lankan Sambuddha Sasana, will be a great loss that is hard to be replaced.
Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandasiri Maha Nayake Thera has been involved in socializing many social, religious and cultural values. After receiving his basic education from Dodampahala Central College, he entered Matara Weeraba Pirivena and Galle Vidyaloka Pirivena for higher studies. He was an expert in Sinhala, Pali and Sanskrit languages and in subjects of History, Archaeology and Abhidharma etc.
"Gotama Thapowanaya" meditation center, which is a sublime gift for the nation is in a position to guide members in Sambuddha Shasana and the entire society in teachings of the Buddha.
In the name of the nation, I gratefully remember the instructions given by Venerable Mahanayake Thera when I visited him and constant advice given to ensure the safety of the people and the perpetuation of the Sambuddha Shasana.
I express my deep condolences to the fellow and student monks, relatives, devotees and all those associated with Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri Mahanayake Thera who engaged in a noble mission for the dissemination of Sambudha Dharma.
The Maha Nayake of Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha, Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandasiri Mahanayake Thera, may attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana!
Dinesh Gunawardena
Prime Minister
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
19th May 2023