Vidulakara Piya Saṭahan: 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Vidyalankara Piruvana

Vidulakara Piya Saṭahan, the ceremony organised by the University of Kelaniya to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Vidyalankara Piruvana, Peliyagoda, an institution that played a vital role in the advancement of Buddhist education in Sri Lanka, was held on 27 January 2026 at the Sri Dharmaloka Hall of the University.

The event was held under the patronage of the Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, the Chief Incumbent of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara and Kithsiri Mewan Vihara, former Head of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Aggamahapandit, Most Ven. Emeritus Prof. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhita Maha Thera, and Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya.

During the event, tributes were paid to the statue of Ven. Ratmalane Sri Dharmaloka Thera, a pioneer in the establishment of the Vidyalankara Piruvana, Peliyagoda, by the Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, the Chief Incumbent of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara and Kithsiri Mewan Vihara, former Head of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Aggamahapandit, Most Ven. Emeritus Prof. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhita Maha Thera; Ven. Welamitiyawe Gnanarathana Thero, Chief Sangha Nayaka of the Colombo and Chilaw Regions, and Principal and Director of the Vidyalankara Pirivena; Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya; and the deans of the faculties.

An academic discussion titled ‘Vidulakara Piya Saṭahan’ was held during the ceremony, featuring Emeritus Professor Asanga Thilakarathne of the University of Colombo, and Senior Journalist Mr Mohan Samaranayake as speakers. The discussion was moderated by Ven. Professor Malwane Chandraratana Thero from the Department of Sinhala, University of Kelaniya.

A key highlight of the event was the launch of the commemorative souvenir titled ‘Vidulakara Piya Saṭahan: Gnānagavēṣī Șāstra Nikētanayaka Matakāvarjana 1875–2025’, edited by Ven. Udagaladeniye Dhammawimala Thera, Lecturer at the Department of Linguistics. In addition, the book ‘Yakkaḍuvē Nāhimiyan Visin Viracita Māksdharmaya da? Buddhadharmayada Saha Yā Yutu Maňga’, authored by Ven. Udagaladeniye Dhammawimala Thera, was presented to the distinguished guests.

The event also featured the screening of a documentary about the Vidyalankara Piruvana, Peliyagoda, and the University of Kelaniya, which was created by the Communication and Media Unit and script and directed by Senior Lecturer Saman Rajapaksha, Director of the Communication and Media Unit.

The programme also included the screening of a documentary on the Vidyalankara Piruvana, Peliyagoda, and the University of Kelaniya, created by the Communication and Media Unit. The documentary was scripted and directed by Senior Lecturer Saman Rajapaksha, Director of the Communication and Media Unit.

The event was graced by the presence of Ven. Welamitiyawe Gnanarathana Thero, Chief Sangha Nayaka of the Colombo and Chilaw Regions, and Principal and Director of the Vidyalankara Pirivena; Senior Professor P. A. Paranagama, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies; Senior Professor Madawa Chandrathilake, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Senior Professor L. B. D. R. P. Wijesundara, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Science; Professor Bandara Wanninayake, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies; Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences; Professor Dhammika Weerasinghe, Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Technology; Dr Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Dr C. C. Jayasundara, Librarian; Mr K. K. K. Dharmathilaka, Registrar; Heads of Departments, academic staff members, administrative officers, non-academic staff members, journalists, and students.