Ven. Welithara Amaranandha Thera

The Anunayake of the Chulaghanti Sector of the Amarapura Chapter
Chief incumbent of Sri Pulinathalaramaya – Ahungalle

We have a lot to say about Mr Dharmasiri. When he visited our temple he had a great desire to make a statue of the Buddha. Thereafter he made a Buddha statue with Dhamma Chakka Mudra at Pulinathalarama Vihara. He was born into a respectable family at Randombe in Balapitiya. After completing his education he inherited certain plantations from his parents. Like his parents he looked after the property carefully and spent lavishly to propagate Buddhism. Dharmasiri De Silva is a lucky person who had the best of education as a child and inherited business skills from his parents. His knowledge and skills were further strenthened by his Buddhist outlook and humanitarian attiude to life.
While doing his business he extended his support to Maha Sangha and temples to the best of his abilities. Even his wife is a devout Buddhist lady who is closely related to Ven Welithara Gnanathilaka Nayaka Thera. He has the capacity and the strengthend to perform all his tasks with the merit he had accumulated through previous births. Both Dharmasiri De Silva and his beloved wife are dedicated to serve Buddhism and protect the Sangha community.I like to state that Mr Dharmasiri is following Buddhist principles to the letter. He takes the trouble to print books on Buddhism and distribute them free of charge to devotees. He puts up temples, Buddha statues and dagabas. spending lavishly. What is more, he leads a life dedicated to Buddhism and helps anyone who comes seeking his help.
According to my assessment, at the age of 75, his sole ambition is to lead a pious life protecting Buddhism. He generously spends his money for Bhikkhus. He has procured lenses to Bhikkhus whose eyesight was poor. Similarly, he pays the fees when Bhikkhus are admitted to hospitals for various ailments. One day I asked him why he was so concerned about the Maha Sangha. Then he said he was born to help Bhikkhus when they are in need. He has succeeded as a businessman with the money he had inherited from his parents. Therefore, he says, he has a duty to protect Buddhism and Bhikkhus. As far as I know I have never met anyone else who is so dedicated to his religion and nation. Who else can say, “I was born to look after the Maha Sangha and look after them when they are indisposed. It is true that I have inherited wealth from my parents, but I earned on my own.” Such devout Buddhists are rare in today’s society.
Mr Dharmasiri De Silva and Mrs Kanthi De Silva are very devout Buddhists who do their services to Buddhism and the Maha Sangha. Such devotees are rare in our society. Mr Dharmasiri and his wife are always ready to spend their wealth for the welfare of Buddhism and Bhikkhus. Even their children and in-laws too are following in their footsteps. May gods and deities protect them from any evil! May the Triple Gems bless them with good health and longevity! May their children and businesses thrive with the blessings of the gods and deities.