Mahanayaka of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Nikaya, Most Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera passes away

The Mahanayaka of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Nikaya, Most Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera has passed away while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

He was 88 years old at the time of his demise. Most Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera was born on January 26, 1933 and ordained as a monk with the permission of his parents, on August 17, 1948 and received his Higher Ordination on July 10, 1954

Most Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera was the supreme Mahanayaka of Sri Lanka Amarapura–Rāmañña Nikāya and was the chief incumbent of Sri Dharmapalaramaya, Mount Lavinia.

He was conferred with the "Aggamahapandita" title by the Burmese government on March 2, 2007 at Swarnaguha Hall, Myanmar.

He was selected as supreme Mahanayaka Thera of the Amarapura Nikaya in May 2017, following the demise Most Venerable Agga Maha Panditha Davuldena Gnanissara Thero.

Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa is credited with the distinction of having delivered sermons over national radio for over 50 years.

His sermons have also been widely attended by audiences overseas in India, Nepal, China, Japan, Germany, the USA, Russia, Singapore, Burma, Thailand, Pakistan, and Mongolia.

Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa has also been a prolific author, having published more than 36 books on various subjects related to Buddhism since the 1960s.

Among his popular writings are: Nivanata Maga’, ‘Ketumati Rajadhaniya’, ‘Kosala Raju DutuSinia’, and ‘Dhammo Have Rakkhati Dhammacari’.