Most Ven Girambe Ananda, the Anunayake thera of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and Viharadhipathi, Anuradhapura Sri Sarananda Maha Pirivena Viharaya passed away following a brief illness yesterday (February 20).
He was 80. Born in 1938, he was ordained in 1949. He was instrumental in spreading Buddhism here and abroad by engaging in Dhammaduta service.
A renowned socio religious worker, he was instrumental in building a ‘Vishrama Sala’ (rest hall) for foreign and local pilgrims visiting Anuradhapura and building homes for poor homeless people with the help of foreign and local donors. He headed a chain of 33 Pirivenas and Viharayas which catered to nearly 250 bhikkhus. Cremation will take place under state patronage at the Anuradhapura Harischandra Park on February 24 afternoon.