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The country and world have lost an exemplary monk
View(s):Condolence messages have flowed in on the passing away of the Most Ven. Udugama Buddharakkhita Mahanayake Thera.
President Maithripala Sirisena’s message focused on the pious and selfless life of devotion of the Mahanayake and the “glory and honour” he brought to Buddha Dhamma and Sri Lanka.
“The selfless services rendered by the Ven. Buddharakkhita Mahanayake Thera brought greater light to the Buddha Sasana. His acts of Dhamma portrayed a most efficient and esteemed personality. I trust this gave him inner strength to continue services to the Buddha Dhamma in later years,” the message read.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe praised the Mahanayake for having strived for amity among the three Nikayas.
“The Mahanayake won love and respect of all of the Sangha due to his kindly, benevolent ways,” the PM stated.
Buddhasasana Minister Karu Jayasuriya, in his message bemoaned the passing away of “an exemplary father-figure of a monk; the very epitome of modesty; a talented writer; a good friend to everyone; and someone who had the great privilege of being the custodian of the sacred tooth relic.”
Media and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gayantha Karunatilleka in his message said the Mahanayake, in the 18 years of holding his office, was exemplary in speech and act, and in the way he took decisions. “Never having used his high position to harm anyone, everything the Mahanayake did behove his high position as well as priesthood,” the minister said.
Colombo’s Archbishop Rt. Rev. Malcolm Ranjith and Chilaw Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis in a joint message representing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka hailed the venerable prelate for having rendered a great service to the nation by “his committed leadership in matters of national importance.”
“We also appreciate deeply the contribution the Ven. Mahanayake Thera made towards fostering inter-religious harmony in our country,” the message said.
The US embassy in Sri Lanka stated that Sri Lankans and Americans who knew the Mahanayake “respected (his) ceaseless efforts to improve the lives of all Sri Lankans through his exemplary life and the teachings of the Buddha he expounded.”
The Chinese ambassador in Sri Lanka YI Yanliang said that the Most Ven. Buddharakkitha Thera made a great contribution to the spreading of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and the world at large.
“He visited China many times and is highly respected by the Chinese Buddhist community. The world lost a great religious leader and China lost a great friend. Ambassador YI reiterates his commitment as well as the commitment of the Embassy of China in enhancing the Buddhist exchanges between the two countries which have lasted for many centuries,” the message said.