Malwatte chapter appoints Chief Sanghanayaka of England

Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London

In a ceremony held in Manchester last week, Ven. Pidiwille Piyatissa Nayaka Thera, Chief Incumbent overseeing the Manchester Ketumati and Leeds Buddhist Temples in the UK, as well as the Tulawala Sumanasaramaya in Sri Lanka, was appointed as the Chief Sanghanayaka of England by the Malwatte Chapter of the Siyam Maha Nikaya.

The event was graced by the presence of notable figures within the Buddhist community, including Ven. Pahamune Sumangala Nayaka Thera, Secretary to the Malwatte Chapter Sangha Sabawa, Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Thera, the Head of London Buddhist Vihara and the Head of Jethavana Buddhist Vihara Ven. Keppitiyagoda Gunawansa Thera among others. Also present were guests such as Lady Mayoress Yasmin Dar, local council members, community leaders, and Sri Lankan residents in Manchester.

The ceremonial Akthapatra was presented by High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama who conveyed warm regards from President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Sri Lankan Government, praising the Nayaka Thera’s commitment to serving the British Sri Lankan Community in Greater Manchester.

Ven. Piyatissa Nayaka Thera’s tireless devotion to propagating Buddhism in the United Kingdom is evident through his establishment of the Ketumati Buddhist Vihara in Manchester in 1999 and the Leeds Buddhist Vihara in 2017. Furthermore, his dedication to the cause of Dhammaduta Mehawera has extended across continents, with efforts in Africa and Europe.

This appointment is regarded by the Buddhist community of Sri Lankan descent as a testament to his invaluable service, dedication, and contributions to the propagation of Buddhist teachings, not only in the UK but across international borders.