Ven. Ranwala Wimaladhamma Thera

MA, Rajakeya Panditha, Chief Incumbent of Sri Dharmarama Viharaya, Ovitiyagala, Munagama, Horana

I met Mr Dharmasiri De Silva and Mrs Kanthi De Silva when I was residing at Poorvarama Viharaya, Horana. When I was studying they treated me like their own son. I built Sri Dharmarama Viharaya in 2002. Both of them supported me financially to complete the work on the new temple. When I was hospitalized for an operation Mr Dharmasiri De Silva and Mrs Kanthi de Silva looked after me like my very own parents. After providing other facilities, they were generous enough to pay the hospital bills. They also did not fail to look after my needs during my period of recovery. Mr Dharmasiri De Silva spent generously to build a Dharmasala (Preaching Hall), a shrine room, and Buddha statues for devotional purposes of devotees who flock to the temple. He also provided the necessary facilities for the students who attended the Dhamma School at Dhammarama Viharaya, Horana. Mr Dharmasiri De Silva generously supplied the uniforms for members of the ‘Yovun Sansadaya’ as he knew that they will render a useful service to Buddhism, Maha Sangha and their country of birth.
What was special about him is that he lived according to the tenets of Buddhism. I know this well because he takes part in Dhamma discussions with me. He conducts Dhamma discussions especially on Poya days.
I closely associated with many people who belonged to different spheres of life. Some of them were rich and well educated. Most of them had very high educational qualifications. All of them were materially successful. However, Dharmasiri De Silva led a life according to the tenets of the Dhamma. He showed an interest to reach the stages in the path of Nibbana unlike many Buddhists who paid only lip-service to Buddhism. Such people of high calibre are difficult to find among Sri Lankans. That is the speciality I have seen in his exemplary character.
According to a discourse of Gauthama Buddha, there are some people who practise what he had preached. They advise others also to lead a life according to Dhamma. Such people include leading businessmen such as Dharmasiri De Silva who look after their spouses, children and their employees . What is remarkable is that such people believe in the right way of living as prescribed by the Buddha in his timeless teachings.
Some ignorant people entertain doubts about Buddhist principles without knowing their intrinsic value. They ask “Vigatha kathan katho” meaning “Why this is so?” or “How can such a thing happen?” Such questions show their lack of faith in Buddhism. Gauthama Buddha had preached: “Vesarajjappaththo” meaning that people can become wise while waiting at home. Such teachings were usually meant for the Maha Sangha. However, Dharmasiri De Silva helps even laymen to avoid doubts about Buddhist teachings through his Dhamma discussions with devotees which enlighten his listeners.