Kithalagama Sri Seelalankara Thera

Ven Thera in 1960s.

Matara Kithalagama Sri Seelalankara Thera (also known as Dimbulagala Hamuduruwo) was a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk who lived in the 20th century in Sri Lanka. He was the pioneer in restoring the ancient Buddhist monastery Dimbulagala Raja Maha Vihara in the 1950s and was the chief incumbent of the monastery for around four decades.^[1] He lived a modest life and spent his life for the development of the ancient monastery and for the upliftment of the poor peasants who lived in the surrounding areas of the Polonnaruwa District in North Central Province.^[2]

On May 26, 1995 Kithalagama Sri Seelalankara Nayaka Thera, popularly known as Dimbulagala Hamuduruwo was killed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) when he was on his way to visit a farm belonging to the temple.^[3] He provided moral support to the poor people living in border villages to fight LTTE intrusions into their villages. He was the chief Sanghanayaka of the Northern and Eastern provinces and Tamankaduva area at the time of his death. Sri Lanka Post issued a postage stamp on 21 July 2005, to commemorate his valuable service to the nation.^[4]

References

1. Punchihewa , Gamini G. (6 April 2008). "Life and times of Ven. Kitalagama Seelalankara Thera". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
2. Kulatunga , K.M.H.C.B. (26 May 2013). "Dimbulagala Hamuduruvo sacrificed his life for nation". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
3. "Chronology Of Ltte Terror - Part 57". Daily News Archives. Daily News Online. 4 August 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
4. Ceylon & Sri Lanka - First Day Covers (FDCs) - Most Ven. Matara Kithalagama Sri Seelalankara Nayaka Thero