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Thousands pay last respects to the Ven. Mahanayaka Thera
Thousands of mourners who flocked to pay their last respects to the Most Venerable Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayaka Thera for five days, came to pay their respects to the monk last afternoon at Independence Square.

Clad in white, mourners were seen approaching the Vajiraramaya from the early hours to take part in the funeral procession which commenced at 1.30 pm. The procession which took nearly two hours to reach Independent Square spoke volumes for the great respect the prelate commanded.

School children from leading Colombo schools stood on either side of the road as the casket slowly drew close to the venue. After brief speeches by the prelates and politicians the funeral pier was lit at 6.30 pm, with the Sri Lanka Air Force dropping a shower of jasmines on the casket. The funeral was held with full state honours.

Mr. Anura Bandaranaike who read out a message from President Chandrika Kumaratunga, assured those present that she will make public and implement the findings of the Buddha Sasana Presidential Commission.

"The Mahanayaka was responsible in working together with state leaders to safeguard the sovereignty of the country. On several occasions the Mahanayaka had advised me and the party on issues, which I value very much. At a time when the country is facing a crucial time it is a great loss which cannot be compensated"

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's message which was read by Minister Karu Jayasuriya, spoke of the yeoman service rendered by the prelate, both locally and internationally.

'The Mahanayaka stood for the true principles of Buddhism. We have seen how respected the Mahanayka was. During the last few days yellow flags were hoisted in every town."

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse pointed out that if successive governments had taken the Mahanayaka's advice the country would not have suffered so much.
'The Mahanayaka had true feelings for the people, he often highlighted the plight of malnutrition in children which is a growing problem. The Mahanayaka never had political affiliations, race or creed"

Ven. Warakave Dhamaloka of the Asgirya Chapter said that Madihe Pannasiha Thera loved his country, people and the religion. 'The Mahanayaka strongly believed in first changing the person before changing the world, this was put forward in all his writings, and preaching's.

He was able to strike a balance in whatever he did and fought against injustice'
Thousands of people from all walks of life paid their last respects to the much-respected Thera as his remains lay at the Maharagama Dharmayatanaya and later when the remains were taken to the Vajiraramaya in Bambalapitiya.

Born on June 21, 1913 in the village of Madihe in the Matara district, the Mahanayaka Thera entered the order as a Samanera on June 24, 1926 and served the Sasana for 77 years. The Venerable Madihe Pannasiha Thera was appointed the Mahanayaka Thera of the Amarapura Sri Dharmarakkhita Nikaya in 1969.

He was conferred the title "Agga Maha Panditha" the honorific title from the Burmese government in 1996, in appreciation of his services to the Buddha Sasana. He pioneered the establishment of Buddhist Viharayas in many Western nations and worked tirelessly to propagate Theravada Buddhism to the world.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga in a message of condolence paid tribute to the late Thera calling him the "trail blazer of the campaign for the emancipation of Buddhism, when threatened by undesirable elements."

"An erudite preacher and a renowned scholar, the Mahanayaka Thera, having rendered a yeoman service to the Buddha Sasana and the ethos of our culture has etched his name indelibly in the annals of our history," the President said. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in a condolence message said that the passing away of the Mahanayaka Thera is an irreparable loss to Sri Lanka and the Sambuddha Sasana.

The Prime Minister said that the late Nayaka Thera was a complete embodiment of the virtues expected of a Bhikku, as enunciated by the Buddha and that he pronounced his views on contemporary national and international issues without fear.

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