Venerable Galayaye Piyadassi Sangha Nayaka Thero Visits Sri Lanka to Distribute Aid

During the past month Ven. Galayaye Piyadassi, MBE, Chief Sangha Nayaka of the UK and Head of the Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre in London was on a visit to Sri Lanka to clear and distribute aid, mostly collected in this country. He led a group, including some devotees, themselves visiting Sri Lanka, to the Vauniya district to have further discussions with the Government Agent Mrs Charles, about the resettlement of the IDPs and to hand over the books, and other educational and sport materials and clothes for the IDPs, as requested by her during a earlier visit.

Accompanied by Ven. Siyambalagaswewe Wimalasara Nayaka Thero of the Sri Dakshinarama Viharaya, Vauniya and Deshakeerthi Ven. Atambaskade Kalyanawansa, he visited the rehabilitation centre for LTTE fighters who surrendered at the Gemunu Vidyalaya to speak to them and distribute materials they needed.

At Anuradhapura, he visited the Mirisavetiya Vihara and its Dhamma School at the invitation of Ven. Ethalawatunawewe Gnanatilleke to present the children and parents with educational requisites and clothes donated by Mrs. Mali Jayasinghe.

At the Ranaviru Sevana at Kandana he met Colonel H. T. Wickremasekera to hand over books, clothes, wheel chairs and hydraulic bathing equipment. He also spoke to them and blessed them by tying 'pirith-nool'. The Colonel explained that they were now trying to settle these permanently injured soldiers in their own homes and what was now needed was disabled toilets and requested that we publicise the need for these materials to those who are anxious to extend help from the UK.

Ven. Piyadassi’s delegation included Ven. Getahette Sobhita Nayaka Thero of the Asokaramaya, Thimbirigasyaye, Ven. Akuretiye Nanda Sangha Nayaka Thero, Chief Editor of the Sinhala Encyclopaedia and Ven. Uluvitiye Bodhiseeha of the Kacchiwatte Temple, Galle.