VEN. MAMPE WIMALAKITTI NAYAKA THERO OF
SANGARAMAYA CHINA GARDENS – GALLE
BY HEMANTHA SITUGE
e mail: hemantha.situge@gmail.com
With the silhouettes of dusk appearing in the sky, the
Sunday 21st December marked the end of an era with the cremation of
a prominent Galle English educationalist from China Gardens – who bestrode like
a mighty colossus for well over six decades in the Butterfly grounds premises
amidst of a distinguished gathering.
Ven. Mampe
Wimalakitti Thero the Chief Incumbent of Sangaramaya China Gardens was a strict
disciplinarian- his forte was providing English education to children specially
for the lower middle class and the middle class family for a paltry sum that
led the generations to generation in Galle to lead a new life that stood on
their feet.
Mampe Wimalakitti Nayaka Thero was a synonymous name with
Galle, he was popularly alluded as ‘Sangaramaye Re Iskole Hamuduruwo’ i.e.
Monk of the Night School Sangaramaya was a perfectionist terror who is to mould
his students in his own way; with his stint of corporeal punishment.
Mampe Wimalakitti Thero trail the blaze by launching his
pioneering daily evening and night schools from 6.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. in 1953
before he functioned as the Chief Incumbent of Sangaramaya in 1955, taught the
school curriculum in English for the Sinhalese stream line school children in
an era where English was scoffed and Sinhalese Medium was dominated in common
schools; which infused a new lease of life to the common folks of Galle.
Sangaramaya Temple was also known for his Damma School on Sundays named ‘Balartha Sadaka Dham Pasala’.
Death took its toll on the erudite Wimalakitti Nayake Thero
at the ripe old age of 85. Fever of life is over for him. Cruel ironies of fate
have snatched away this leading educationalist of par excellence in the most
unexpected moment. His contribution indeed would be a page in the history of
Galle. He rendered yeoman services to the Galleans and those from suburbs and
led the inhabitants not only from China Gardens and all those based in Galle as
law abiding peaceful citizenry. Ven. Sir, you are indeed an exemplary icon of
Galle. You undoubtedly rank ‘dulabbo purisa gnano gnaso sabbatu jayatu’ - such monks (men) are rare; rarely are they
born.
May you attain the supreme Bliss of Nirvana !
No comments:
Post a Comment