Ven. Uthurawala Dhammarathana Thera
The All Ceylon Shasanarakshaka Mandalaya has organised alms-giving islandwide on April 11 to collect financial donations for Myanmar and Thailand, both severely affected by a recent earthquake. Chairman of the Kelaniya Shasanarakshaka Mandalaya and retired Senior Professor at the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka Ven. Uthurawala Dhammarathana Thera told a media briefing at the Sri Jayathilakarama Purana Vihara, Peliyagoda, on April 4. Ahead of the main event, the Kelaniya Shasanarakshaka Mandala will host an alms-giving in Kiribathgoda on April 6 from 4 p.m., inviting public contributions.
Ven. Omalpe Dhammaloka Thera emphasized the historic and deep-rooted Buddhist and diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and Myanmar, adding that the Sri Lankan monastic and lay communities express their heartfelt solidarity with those affected. He called upon the public to consider donating funds originally intended for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations towards these relief efforts. Ven. Chandrasiri Thera, a Burmese bhikkhu currently studying in Sri Lanka, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Myanmar Sangha for the compassionate support, adding that many temples and homes in his country have been destroyed.
