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Tribute to our special Podi Hamuduruwo on his birthday
Sri Lanka abounds with many Podi Hamuduruwos. Yet, the most renowned is the Venerable Galaboda Gnanissara Thera. The Chief Prelate will be 78 on December 14. Affectionately known as Podi Hamuduruwo from his tender years at the Gangaramaya, he is our very special Podi Hamuduruwo.
Podi Hamuduruwo was born to lead. Although Colombo, Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, had many temples, it lacked a central location with a Buddhist identity. Podi Hamuduruwo’s mission was to establish a serene place of worship not only for Buddhists but also for people of other faiths to meet, greet and seek spiritual solace if so needed. As a result of his efforts, Gangaramaya is now known internationally, and is a favoured venue for visitors from other lands.
Podi Hamuduruwo believed that Colombo should have its own Perahera as an annual tribute to the Great Teacher and the Enlightened One. He also took a keen interest in the welfare of artistes and cultural groups, performing traditional Sri Lankan dance forms with little support or opportunity to display their skills. Organising a Perahera in Colombo, similar to the Perahera in Kandy, was a colossal venture. Yet, he went ahead with the plans. The Perahera that began under the patronage of the then Prime Minister R. Premadasa was so successful that it continues to this day as an annual event. During the Perahera days, Podi Hamuduruwo would introduce the artistes and cultural groups to the dignitaries present.
Podi Hamuduruwo was ordained on November 8, 1958 at the Gangarmaya Temple as a pupil monk under the direction of the then Nayaka Thera, the Ven. Devundara Sri Vachissara who was also the Nayake Thera for the Greater Colombo area. Podi Hamuduruwo’s initial studies were at the Pirivena at Gangaramaya. He completed his Arts degree in 1969 from the Vidyodaya University. He received his higher ordination at the age of 20 at the Malwathu Oya Chapter on June 21, 1964.
The Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara was ‘Podi Hamuduruwo’ to the Chief Priest Venerable Vachissara. This was why he came to be known as Pod Hamuduruwo. After the prelate lost his eyesight, Podi Hamuduruwo had to take over many functions at the temple.
When the Nayaka Thera passed away on May 18, 1984, Podi Hamuduurwo succeeded as chief priest, but never assumed the title ‘Loku Hamuduruwo’.
Podi Hamuduruwo helped everyone irrespective of race or religion, and this was reciprocated. An example is the Sima Malakaya on the Beira Lake. The Buddhist priests of the Colombo region observed the Vinaya Precept programme there, but the Malakaya was in an increasingly dilapidated condition by 1976.
He obtained the help of S.M. Moosajee, a Muslim benefactor and reconstructed the Sima Malakaya to the beautiful edifice that it is today. It was redesigned at the time by Architect Geoffrey Bawa. Today the Sima Malakaya stands as a monument to the leadership qualities of Podi Hamuduruwo.
Today Podi Hamuduruwo is ailing and receiving treatment in Singapore. The Ven. Kirinde Assaji Thera and the pupil monks of the temple spare no effort in preserving his health. A special programme has been drawn up for his birthday.
We wish him all good health.
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