The Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre celebrated UK Buddhist Day on Sunday 25^th July 2010. The Guest speaker was the internationally recognised Buddhist Scholar, Professor Ananda Guruge. 

In the audience were HE Justice Nihal Jayasinghe, High Commissioner and Mrs Indira Jayasinghe; U Khin Min representing the Ambassador of the Union of Myanmar; HE Sarath Gauthamadasa, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Lebanon and Mrs Gauthamadasa; Mrs. Guruge, Hon. Bob Blackman MP for Harrow East; Mr Kishore Hirdaramani, Chairman Hirdaramani Group; Councillor Ruth Moher of Brent; Councillor Kareema Marikkar of Harrow; Ms Mary Hale, Harrow Inter-faith; Professor Laksman Perera; Dr. Subhadra Siriwardena; Mr Vardhakumar and guests from the Tamil Information Centre; Actg. Sgt. Richard Stout, Kingsbury Police. 

In his welcome address, Ven. Galayaye Piyadassi, MBE, Head of the Vihare stated that the SSIBC has observed the UK Buddhist Day since 1996, when research undertaken by the Centre unearthed the importance of Ven. Ananda Metteya’s mission to the UK in 1908 and his work in Sri Lanka and Myanmar as well as for the International Community at large. Mr Alan Bennett, an Englishman became interested in Buddhism after reading Sir Edwin Arnolds LIGHT OF ASIA and went to Sri Lanka to further his knowledge, influenced by Anagarika Dharmapala and other Sri Lankan Buddhist Leaders. He started lectures in English for the first time. He obtained Higher Ordination in Myanmar taking the Bhikkhu name of Ananda Metteyya.. He established the first International Buddhist Association and a Buddhist Quarterly in English while in Rangoon. He came back to the UK in 1908 to establish an indigenous British community of Buddhist monks with their own temples. He visited Sri Lanka even afterwards and Metteyya Hall, named after the Venerable, in Lauries Road, Colombo, is still functioning as a venue for Buddhist lectures. The importance of this historic mission to this country and the world is only now dawning.

Dr Guruge’s topic for the Commemorative Lecture was “British Contribution to the Promotion of Buddhist Studies”. As usual with his lectures it was a very illuminating talk. He always impressed audiences with his profound knowledge and this was no exception. He said he dedicated his talk to three people - Venerable Ananda Metteyya. the Englishman who attempted to plant the seeds of Buddhism permanently in his own country, who tried to establish an indigenous Buddhist Order in this Country; to Venerable Dr Hammalawa Saddhatissa Nayaka Thero who helped to permanently establish a Buddhist Temple in this country and continue Ven. Ananda Metteyya’s work; and to the Venerable Galayaye Piyadassi, MBE, Head of the SSIBC who is continuing this work most effectively. That is why he comes regularly to the SSIBC - to assist this work. He arrived from the USA that morning, but he still felt his duty to come and address this gathering and assist Ven. Piyadassi Dharmadutha work. (The full address will appear in the next issue of the Budumaga).