Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena paid respectful felicitations to leading Buddhists monks who were awarded honours by the Republic of Myanmar at the Temple Trees on May 3. Ven. Prof. Kamburugamuwe Wajira Thera was honoured with highest award of Abhidajamaha Rattaguru award by Myanmar. Several other monks were also awarded by Myanmar.
Myanmar’ prestigious title of Aggamahapanditha has been awarded to Ven Omare Kassapa Thera, Ven Inguruwatte Piyananda Thera and Ven Prof. Muwaatagama Gnananada Thera and the title Saddhammajyothikadaja has been awarded to Ven Getaberikande Rathanasara Thera.
By awarding our leading monks by Myanmar has not only recognized their immense services for Buddha Dhamma but also conveyed a deep message to the world about the need for propagation of the teachings of the Buddha globally once again, the Prime Minister said.
He recalled the vast contribution made by Ven Prof Kamburugamuwe Wajira Thera for nearly 80 years. He has etched a significant mark among the most erudite monks produced by dhamma institutes such as Vidyalankara and Vidyodaya privenas.
These erudite monks brought pride to the nation and the recognition of them internationally during the Vesak season celebrated by the entire country has given more illumination to the Buddha Sasana, he said.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the teachings of the Buddha is prevalent even after 2600 years and it has helped to strengthen close religious and diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Premier Gunawardena said the assistance provided by Myanmar and Siam, today known as Thailand in formation of Syam, Ramanna and Amarapura sects to revive and strengthen Buddhism is highly appreciable.
“Vidyalankara Pirivena and the University have become universal centers where Pali and Sanskrit scholars gathered and spoke in those languages and taught Buddhist studies. Professor of Oxford University Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, who later became President of India visited Vidyalankara he exchanged views and spoke with Vice Chancellor and other academic monks, not in English, but in Pali and Sanskrit,” he recalled.
The Mahasangha, Ministers Bandula Gunawardena, Vidura Wickremenayake, Sisira Jayakody, Parliamentarians Yadamini Gunawardena, Ranjith Bandara, Jagath Kumara and Mynmar Ambassador Han Thu, Buddha Sasana Minstry Secretary Somaratne Vidanapathirana and others participated in this event.