Anagarika Dharmapala was born on September 17, 1864. His parents were Don Carolis Hewawitharana and Mallika Hewawitharana.
Anagarika Dharmapala’s earlier name was Don David Hewawitharana. Although he was a Christian, he liked to learn Sinhala, Pali and Buddhism.
After sometime, he was known as Dharmapala and learned to debate from Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera. Later, he came to be known as Anagarika Dharmapala.
He established the Maha Bodhi Society. He was ordained in 1931 as Devamitta Dharmapala Thera at the Mulagandhikuti Vihara.
He travelled everywhere in the country and it was written on his vehicle “Do not eat beef”, “Do not drink alcohol”.
He liked to read the newspaper called Sarasavi Sandaresa by Henry Steel Olcott. Anagarika Dharmapala started a newspaper called Sinhala Bauddhaya. Together with Henry Steel Olcott he helped the development of Dhamma schools.
He advised children not to tell lies and also said “Wake up Sinhalese, let’s save Buddhagaya”.
Hansali Sananga Adikari
Grade 8
Girls’ High School
Kandy
