Death of Professor A.D.T.E. Perera
Posted on September 19th, 2023
Senaka Weeraratna
Professor A.D.T.E. Perera, renowned Buddhist Scholar, with a Ph. D. from the Australian National University, passed away on September 17, 2023 at the age of 87 years of age.
Professor A.D.T.E. Perera was formerly an Associate Editor, Encyclopaedia of Buddhism, Government of Sri Lanka, publication, Research Associate and Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of New Mexico, USA, Guest Research Fellow, Department of Disarmament and Development, UNO, New York.
He was a Vice – President of the German Dharmaduta Society
He was the author of several books some of which are as follows:
1) The Avukana Buddha- a New Interpretation. Was it Sakyamuni Buddha Or the Primordia Buddha Amitabha?
By A. D. T. E. Perera · 1973
2) Buddhism in ancient Israel and Arabia
A new light on ancient Middle East religio-politics through literary and archaeological evidence
Sinhala Translation of the Book ‘ Buddhism in Ancient Arabia and Israel’ was launched on April 10, 2016
Bactrian Greeks, the Bamiyan and Avukana Buddha statues
https://www.sundaytimes.lk/120122/Plus/plus_13.html
3) The Enigma of the Man and Horse at Isurumuniya Temple, Sri Lanka
4) Colossal Buddha images of ancient Sri Lanka
https://www.infolanka.com/org/srilanka/hist/13.htm
The Lineage of Eḷāra, King of Anurādhapura, and His Possible .
He leaves behind his his son Dr. Harsha Perera (lawyer) and a daughter.
His wife pre deceased him.
The funeral will be held today ( September 18, 2023) at the Panadura Cemetery at 4:00 p.m.
His remains are kept for public viewing until 3.45 p.m. today at the MAHINDA JAYAKODI FLORIST WALANA IN PANADURA (contact phone: +94 382 297 544)
Dr. Harsha Perera ( Telephone No -. 038 22 98 198 )
Personal Note:
On April 10, 2016, the Sinhala Translation of the Book ‘Buddhism in Ancient Israel and Arabia’ ( by a Buddhist monk) was launched.
I was invited by the hosts to deliver an introduction to this Book ( which I did in English).
I have attached some photos ( selected ) of the ceremony where the translation of the Book was launched.
I knew both Professor A.D.T.E. Perera as well as his son Dr. Harsha Perera (lawyer) very well.
They are staunch Buddhists.
May he attain the supreme bliss of Nirvāṇa.
Senaka Weeraratna