New Head of the Brickfield Temple and
the Sangha Nayaka of Malaysia

APPOINTMENT: Sri Lanka has been, from ancient times, the repository of Buddhism. It has also contributed much to the spread of Buddhism.

For both preservation and spread of Buddhism the bhikkus of Sri Lanka have been serving tirelessly.

In recent times too Sri Lanka produced some outstanding missionary monks, and one amongst them was the late Ven. Dr. Kirinde Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Thera, the former Head of the Brickfield Temple in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

When he passed away recently, the Headship fell vacant and fortunately there happened to be an efficient successor.

He is none other than Ven. Kirinde Dammaratana, the protege of the great predecessor himself. Now he has taken over reins of the Brickfield Temple and is working dedicatedly to maintain the position of excellence it had gained.

Ven. Kirinde Dhammaratana was born in 1965 in the well known village of Kirinda in the southern tip of Sri Lanka.

He had his early education at the Deyandara Central College, and entered the Order at a young age under the tutelage of Ven. Dr. Kirinde Dhammnanda Nayaka Thera and Ven. Kotawila Deepananda Nayaka Thera.

Thereafter he came to Colombo for his further monast studies at the Vidyawardhana Pirivena (Dehiwala), Sunethra-devi-Pirivena (Papiliyana) and the International Bhikkhu Training Centre (Ratmalana).

He received his higher ordination from the Malwatu Chapter of the Syamopal Maha Nikaya with Venerable Dr. Kirinde Dhammananda, Kotawila Premaratana and Kotawila Deepananda Nayaka Theras as teachers and preceptors. Noticing his dyanism and commitment, Ven. Dr. Kirinde Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Thera, with the concurrence of Sasana Abhivurddhi Society of the Brickfield Temple invited him to Malaysia in 1980.

It did not take time for him to adapt to the situation and take upon himself responsibilities at the Brickfield Temple. Soon he became a well-known figure and worked hard to uplift the activities at the Temple.

Taking up the Principalship of the School he contributed to train the youth for leadership, and today most of the activities of Buddhist centers in Malaysia are managed by those who got their training at the Brickfield.

His dynamism and commitment suited his organizing abilities well. The establishment of the ?Tiratana Welfare Association? itself speaks eloquently for his farsightedness and success as an organizer and social worker.

The free medical clinics, welfare centre, Elders? Home, home for destitute mothers and children which are managed and maintained by the Association have benefited a large number deserving help.

The spectacular grand procession held in Kuala Lumpur to celebrate the Vesak festival bear evidence to his capabilities as a methodical and meticulous organizer with a sharp religious aesthetic sense.

His deep keenness to come to the rescue of those who are in adverse situations become quite manifest through the relief activities he did to alleviate the suffering of the tsunami affected people of Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand.

He continues such social service activity in a generous manner and is always contributing his mite to help Sri Lanka in offering whatever material help he is able to provide to hospitals, to the handicapped soldiers and to the needy in general.

His services to the Sasana and to the people have been duly recognized by the Malwatte Chapter of Syamopali Maha Nikaya and he has been appointed the Chief Sangha Nayaka of Malaysia, in succession to Ven. Dr. Kirinde Sri Dhammananda, his spiritual mentor.

We sincerely congratulate Ven. Kirinde Dhammaratana Nayaka Thera and wish him further success in all his undertakings and activities.

Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera