COLOMBO :The Moors’ Islamic Cultural Home, (MICH), the premier Muslim Institution, has joined all Sri Lankans and Buddhist around the world in sharing the sad passing away of The Most Venerable Agramaha Panditha Maha Nayake Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera of the Amarapura Nikaya.
The Mahanayake Thero has rendered yeoman service to the Buddha Sasana as well as for the harmony of all religion is the recipient of the Title, “Agramaha Panditha” title by the Myanmar Government on March 2, 2007 at Swarnaguha Hall, Myanmar and is also credited with the distinction of having delivered sermons over national radio for over 50 years,” MICH President ,Omar Kamil said in a condolence message on Thursday.
Kamil added that the late the Late Prelate’s religious sermons on Buddhism were widely attended by audiences not only in Sri Lanka but also in India, Nepal, China, Japan, Germany, the USA, Russia, Singapore, Myanmar, Thailand, Pakistan and Mongolia. Venerable Late Thero’s publication of over 36 books on various subjects related to Buddhism stands proof to his literacy and his knowledge in Buddhism.
“His ideas and views on national issues were without any fear ensuring religious and cultural harmony amongst our communities. He was a great Monk who could treat any person without considering his position, wealth, caste, creed or religion.”
The country has lost a great religious leader who was an erudite scholar and a person who had dedicated his time, knowledge energy and life to spread the word of Peace through Dhamma.
“His passing away creates a big vacuum and a great loss for our nation in particular which he served with dedication for decades,” Kamil concluded
