The 2026 State Upasampadā Ordination Ceremony of the Mahāvihāravaṃsika Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya was held this afternoon (09) at the historic Kalutara Bodhiya, with the participation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The Upasampadā Vinaya Ordination Ceremony will be held from today (09) until 22 July at the Udakukkhepa Sīmā Mālaka established on the Kalu Ganga in Kalutara. More than 400 sāmaṇera (novice) monks are expected to participate.
A notable feature of this year's ceremony is that, although the State Upasampadā Vinaya Ceremony is traditionally held once every three years, it is being conducted after a lapse of nine years. The decision to hold this year's ceremony with State patronage followed a request made by the Most Venerable Supreme Mahanayaka of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Aggamaha Pandita Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithreemurthi Mahanayaka Thera, when President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid a courtesy call on him on 1 January to receive blessings for the New Year.
Addressing the gathering, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the present Government consistently seeks the advice, guidance and counsel of the Maha Sangha in the administration of the country. He further affirmed that the Government remains fully committed to taking every necessary measure to ensure the protection and continued flourishing of the Buddha Sasana.
Special Dhamma sermons were delivered by the Mahāmahopādhyāya of the Mahāvihāravaṃsika Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Mahanayaka of the Amarapura Chulagandhi Chapter, Sahithyashoori Most Venerable Ganthune Assaji Mahanayaka Thera, and the Supreme Mahanayaka of the Mahāvihāravaṃsika Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Aggamaha Pandita Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithreemurthi Mahanayaka Thera.
During the ceremony, the publication "Amarapura Shasthreeya Sangrahaya" was also presented to the President.
Among those in attendance were Acting President of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha Most Venerable Magalle Nagitha Nayaka Thera; General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha Most Venerable Balapitiye Siriseewali Nayaka Thera; the Mahanayaka and Anunayaka Theras of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya; Anunayaka of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya Most Venerable Waleboda Gunasiri Thera; General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya Most Venerable Attangane Sasana
Rathana Nayaka Thera; members of the Maha Sangha representing the three Nikayas; Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa; Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr Nalinda Jayatissa; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Governor of Uva Province Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara; former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya; public representatives; Kalutara District Secretary H. M. S. P. Herath and other government officials; President of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha Ajith de Zoysa; Treasurer Dhammika Samarawickrama; Kalutara Bodhi Trust Board member Ashantha Zoysa; members of the Dayaka Sabha of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha; and a large gathering of devotees.
