Ven. Thapowanaye Rathana Thera

Rajakeeya Panditha, Tripitaka Vageeshwara, Saddharma Shiromani, Kammatithanacharya, Chief Sanghanayake, Rathnapura Maha Disawa.

From time to time great people are born in Sri Lanka to protect Buddhism and the country. One such person is the founder of HODES Group of Companies Dharmasiri De Silva. His services to Buddhism are great indeed. Similarly, his services to the nation are also great. He is one of the living legends who has dedicated his whole life to advance Buddhism locally and internationally.
In the meantime he looks after the needs of Bhikkhus living in difficult areas of the island. He has a close connection with all the Bhikkhus who belong to the three sects and extends his support to them whenever necessary. While putting up temples he looks after the needs of people in indigent circumstances. This is a praiseworthy trait in his business life.
There is something special in his services to promote Buddhism and elevate the Sinhalese. We rarely find a lay person who has understood the concept of “Chithajaya raga Nidanayan” Sometimes he works as an author. He writes books on Buddhism, gets them printed and publishes them. He also helps people to make their lives fruitful. He has spent a large sum of money to put up meditation cubicles at Kalawana Aranya Senasanaya. In addition, he has donated generators and improved the road network. He has a close affinity with temples in order to extend his services. Therefore we need to appreciate the services of such a person while he is living. We owe a great gratitude for his services to Buddhism. If we do not recognize his services to Buddhism in general and the Maha Sangha in particular, we are not doing justice to him.On the other hand, such men of great calibre are rare in modern society. We need more men and women of his calibre.
Those who come to this world from heavenly abodes from time to time help to propagate Buddhism while leading exemplary lives. Dharmasiri De Silva belongs to such a group of people.
We wish him strength, courage, and longevity to perform his services to his country, nation, Buddhism and the Maha Sangha without any interruption. May he be blessed with longevity!

“Uttanenappamadena
Sannamena dhamena cha
Dheepan kairatha medhavi
Yan ogo na bhikeerathi”

Wise men through courage, without undue delay, behaving well, controlling their sensory organs and mind make their country a place of protection that produced many Arahants a safe place.