Sunday school fulfils quality education requirement in Sri Lanka. One such Sunday School celebrates an important milestone this month.
Sri Gnanavimala Dhamma School, Panadura, Gangula which is one of the leading religious educational institutions in the country, is celebrating its 75th anniversary on February 19. This Dhamma school started on February 19, 1950 just after the dawn of independence in Sri Lanka.
Ven. Naramane Sri Buddha
Rakkhita Thera
Ven. Tripitaka Visharadha Rajakeeya Panditha Naramane Sri Buddha Rakkhita Thera was the founder. He was the last Thera to work in the Buddha Jayanti Tripitaka Translation Board in the country. The sixth commemoration of Ven. Sri Buddha Rakkhita Thera who passed away on February 14, 2019, will also be held on the sideline of this event.
The Buddha Jayanti Tripitaka Translation Board was founded in 1956 by eminent bhikkhus such as the Most Ven. Aggamaha Panditha Balangoda Ananda Maitri Maha Nayaka Thera. The deep scriptures such as “Pattanapakaraná” and “Petakopadesaya” in the Tripitaka are books prepared by Ven. Buddha Rakkhita Thera. It is for this reason that in 2019, the Government accorded him State honors at the ceremony of making the Tripitaka a national heritage in Matale.
The Gangula Dhamma School was the first Dhamma school in the country to be opened separately for girls and boys on Saturday and Sunday. It has won awards for many years as the best Dhamma school in the country according to the annual Dhamma School examination results. For many years, it won the honour of being the best Dhamma school in the Kalutara district.
About 1,500 children are studying here with students with excellent behaviour being recognised annually. Many respected people in the country have studied in this Dhamma school. Nearly 100 teachers guide students on both days.
The 75th anniversary which will feature several charity events will begin with the week-long series of sermons to be held from February 13 – 17. A “Dorakada Asna Anushasana” Pinkama will also be held on February 16. The main event of the 75th celebration will be held on February 19. Those who have taught Buddhism to students for many years will also be felicitated. Many celebratory events of the anniversary are scheduled to be held in the near future under the tutelage of the head of the Gagula Siriparama Vishuddharama Temple Ven. Thanthirimulle Sarana Thera.
A Dhamma school commemorative book will be launched and an educational exhibition will also be held to mark the anniversary. A student leader training workshop for Dhamma school students of the educational division will also be held.
