H.E. Mr. Poldej Worachat, Ambassador of Thailand attended the religious ceremony on the occasion of the appointment of Most Ven. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nayaka Thero as the Maha Nayaka of Sri Lanka Amarapura Sambuddha Maha Nikaya. Most Ven. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nayaka Thero is the chief incumbent of Dipaduttamarama Thai Raja Maha Viharaya in Kotahena and Rajaguru Sri Subuthi Maha Viharaya in Waskaduwa. The ceremony under the patronage of Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardana, Deputy Minister of Ports and Highways of Sri Lanka, took place at Rajaguru Sri Subuthi Maha Viharaya, Waskaduwa on Friday 24 February 2012.

H.E. Mr. Poldej Worachat delivered a speech emphasizing the unique link between Thailand and the two temples. Prince Prisdang Chumsai of Siam (Thailand), known as “Venerable Jinawarawansa”, who was at the forefront of the Sri Lanka Buddhist educational movement from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, was ordained by Ven. Rajaguru Sri Subuthi Nayaka Thero at Rajaguru Sri Subuthi Maha Viharaya in 1896, and later became Chief Incumbent of Dipaduttamarama Thai Raja Maha Viharaya from 1905-1910.

The pinnacle of Dipaduttamarama’s Ratana Chedi was donated by King Chulalongkorn or King Rama V of Siam. Members of the Thai Royal Family, most notably King Ananda Mahidol and King Bhumibol Adulyadej, have visited this temple. The Thai Royal Kathina ceremony has taken placed at this temple 5 times.

Ven. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nayaka Thero and his temples have served as religious and cultural bridge linking peoples of Thailand and Sri Lanka, and consequently enhancing the unique bilateral relations between the two countries based on the common heritage of Theravada Buddhism.