Speaking at the funeral ceremony the President Maithripala Sirisena said that the services rendered by the late Mahanayaka Thera for Buddhists in Sri Lanka and the world, will never be forgotten.

Most Venerable Buddharakkitha Thera who was ordained in 1945, rendered yeoman service to propagate Buddhism by travelling around the country and the Globe. It is significant to note that the late Mahanayaka Thera is credited with conducting the highest number of religious ceremonies to the sacred Tooth Relic as the 20th Mahanayaka of the Asgiri Chapter.

The Mahanayaka Thera passed away on the 8th of this month while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Singapore.

Thousands of people including President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, Parliamentarians and Diplomats attended the funeral which was held under the guidance of Mahasangha and with full state patronage.