Courtesy The Daily News

The commemoration of the 20th death anniversary of the world-renowned Buddhist priest, Most Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera will be held today (12) at Siri Vajirarama Temple in Bambalapitiya.

The book Gautama the Buddha which is compiled by Jin Jayasinghe, a resident of Melbourne, Australia, will also be launched. The commemoration will be held under the Chairmanship of Aggamaha Panditha Balangoda Sobitha Thera,  Principal of the Maligakanda Vidyodaya Pirivena, Colombo.

Ven. Professor Agalakada Sirisumana Thera and Professor Asanga Thilakaratne are also scheduled to hold lectures and a large number of lay people and the clergy are expected to join this event.

Most Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera, who propagated the Dhamma worldwide for the spiritual benefit of many people, was invited by St. Petersburg International University of Theology in Russia on October 3, 2003 to be awarded the ‘Visionary Science’ doctorate for the famous book Buddhist Stupa written by him.

At that time, Most Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera fell ill and was admitted to hospital for treatment. He passed away on December 12, 2003 due to a heart attack.

Many other religious ceremonies are scheduled to be held by the Sri Lankan communities in other countries to mark the 20th death anniversary of Most Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera.