Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Rohitha Bogollagama participated in the Sangha Nayaka Anuprapthi Felicitation Ceremony of Ven. Pidiwille Piyatissa Nayaka Thero held in Manchester on 10 December 2023. The event was attended by senior Buddhist monks led by Ven. Pahamune Sumangala Nayaka Thero, Secretary to the Malwatte Chapter Sangha Sabawa of Siyam Maha Nikaya, Lady Mayoress Yasmin Dar, and Councillors along with community leaders and the British Sri Lankan community of Manchester.
The High Commissioner presented the ceremonial Akthapatra (Credentials) to the Ven. Nayaka Thero at the event. He conveyed the applause of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the government of Sri Lanka for the newly appointed Sangha Nayaka Thero and lauded the service of the Nayaka Thero towards the British Sri Lankan community in the Greater Manchester Area. On the sidelines of the event, the High Commissioner discussed with the Mayoress and Councillors on the ways and means to enhance cooperation between the Sri Lanka High Commission in the United Kingdom and the Manchester City Council with an emphasis on expanded involvement of the Sri Lankan community in governance.
In appreciation of the yeoman service towards the spread of Buddhism, Sasthrapathi Ven. Pidiwille Piyatissa Nayaka Thero, Chief Incumbent of Manchester Ketumati and Leeds Buddhist Temples in the United Kingdom and Tulawala Sumanasaramaya in Sri Lanka has been appointed the Chief Sanghanayaka of England by the Malwatte Chapter of the Siyam Maha Nikaya. Ven. Thero’s dedication to the advancement of Buddhism in the United Kingdom is illustrated by the establishment of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara in Manchester in 1999 and Leeds Buddhist Vihara in 2017. Ven. Nayaka Thero’s firm dedication and commitment towards Dammaduta Mehawera spanned several continents including Africa and Europe.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
London
12 December 2023
