About Us

In the teachings of Buddhism, there is no act more meritorious than contributing to the development of a fellow human being, for at its heart, this means the development of the mind. Buddhism recognises that every person has the innate potential for mental and spiritual growth, a truth captured in the Pali expression ‘Manussa Ussanatāya Manusso.’ It is principles from this profound doctrine that the guiding of the Dharmavijaya Foundation takes root, that a country cannot truly progress without first nurturing the moral development of its people.

The development of man is understood in three distinct dimensions: mundane life, life beyond death, and the attainment of the supermundane. Growth in mundane life encompasses the economic, educational, health, and moral advancement of the individual and their community.

The development of life beyond death refers to the cultivation of merit that leads to rebirth in higher realms. And supermundane development speaks to the highest aspiration of all, treading the noble path through the four stages of spiritual realisation, culminating in the attainment of Nibbana.

The Buddha himself demonstrated that purposeful, planned living is the surest path to flourishing, embodying this truth throughout his own noble life. In that same spirit, the Dharmavijaya Foundation offers a practical framework for development across five stages of life, a plan that is simple yet profound and, when followed with sincerity, leads without fail to growth across all three dimensions described above.

Honorary Patrons

Most Venerable Aggamahapandita Trincomalee Ananda Maha Nayaka Thero is a highly respected Buddhist monk and a senior religious leader of Sri Lanka. He serves as the Maha Nayaka Thero of the Amarapura Sri Dharmarakshitha Maha Nikaya. He has dedicated many years of his life to the development of the Buddha Sasana, Buddhist education, language, literature, and social welfare.

Venerable Trincomalee Ananda Thero entered the Buddhist monastic life in 1969 at the Siri Vajiragnana Dharmayathanaya in Maharagama under the guidance of Most Venerable Aggamahapandita Madihe Pannasiha Maha Nayaka Thero and Most Venerable Ampitiye Sri Rahula Nayaka Thero. He received higher ordination in 1978. From his early years as a monk, he showed a strong interest in Buddhist education and scholarship.

His academic achievements are also notable. He obtained the Royal Pandith degree in 1979 and later completed a Master’s degree in Buddhist Studies at the Buddhist and Pali University. He served as a teacher at the Siri Vajiragnana Dharmayathanaya in Maharagama, where he contributed to the education and spiritual development of many young monks. Through his teaching, guidance, and personal example, he helped prepare a new generation of Buddhist monks for religious and social service.

His contribution extends beyond traditional religious activities. He has shown a strong interest in the Sinhala language, literature, and Buddhist scholarship. He was associated with the Hela Havula and participated in various academic and cultural activities. He also served in several committees and institutions connected with Buddhist affairs, contributing his knowledge and experience to the preservation and development of Buddhism and Sri Lankan culture.

In 2003, he was appointed Anu Nayaka of the Amarapura Sri Dharmarakshitha Nikaya. Following the vacancy created by the passing away of Most Venerable Weligama Sri Gnanarathana Maha Nayaka Thero, he was selected for the position of Maha Nayaka. His appointment as the Maha Nayaka of the Amarapura Sri Dharmarakshitha Maha Nikaya was formally announced in 2014.

One of the most respected qualities of Most Venerable Trincomalee Ananda Maha Nayaka Thero is his humble and compassionate character. He is known for guiding both Buddhist monks and lay people with kindness, patience, and wisdom. His life represents dedication to the Buddha Sasana, education, national culture, and social service.

Honorary Patrons

Tripitakacharya Rajakeeya Pandita Saddhammakeerthi Sri Vidyatilake, Thripiraka Shastra Visharadha Sri Dharmarakshithavanshalankara Ven Hakmana Sumanasiri thera, has served the Dharmavijaya Foundation as its Patron since 2004. He is a senior of the Most Venerable Aggamaha Pandita Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayaka thera of the Dharmarakshirharama sector of the Amarapura Nikaya the Founder of the Dharmavijaya Foundation and was its original Patron as well as of the Ven. Ampitiye Sri Rahula Nayake thera of Siri Vajiragnana Dharmayathanaya.

Presently functioning as the incumbent Bhikkhu of the Siri Vajiragnana Dharmayathanaya in Maharagama originally established by the Most Ven Mahanayaka thera, he is also the principal of the Dhamma school there, since 1997 in which over 7000 girls and boys receive dhamma education.  Although he leads a busy life managing many a project launched through the Dharmayathanaya, he shows the benefit of the high precepts followed as a higher ordained bhikkhu giving him complaisance of conduct. Therefore it is a personal privilege to see him chairing the Dharmavijaya Foundation gathering of the trustees every Thursday, giving a lead with the words of the Buddha.

In the midst of busy schedules he ensures to keep a report with the many branches of the Sri Vajiragnana Dharmayatanaya.  He also participates in Buddhist missionary activities in Asia as well as in America and Australia, and finds time to write Dhamma books, and articles on relevant issues. At times he even participates in the field activities of the Dharmavijaya Foundation. 

Honorary Patrons

Deshabandu Olcott Gunasekera who was the Founder President of the Dharmavijaya Foundation and for 31 years who held that position. He entered Most esteemed Buddhist order as a venerated Bhikkhu of Siri Vajiraramaya, by the name Ven. Gnanasiha on 5 March 2015.  In the same year on 1 April he received higher ordination at the Bauddha Seema Malaka in the Siri Vajiragnana Dharmayatanaya in Maharagama, and resides now at Siri Vajirarama in Bambalapitiya where the incumbent Bhikkhu is the Most Ven. Aggamaha Pandita Thirikunamale Ananda thera.  Ever since 2016 on a proposition made by the Mahanayaka thera at the annual general meeting of the Dharmavijaya Foundation, he makes his presence at the weekly meeting every Thursday in the capacity of the Patron.

The Buddha Sasana Karya Sadhaka Committee in anticipation of obtaining his wide knowledge and experience, made him a special request to serve them in the capacity of an honorary member, participating in the decisions to be taken with an impact on the sasana.  For the benefit of those seeking the Dhamma both here and abroad he has compiled several books in English, as well as in Sinhala.  He has the special capacity to deliver sermons in both Sinhala and English.

In lay life he served as a devout dayaka of the Most Venerable Aggamaha Pandita Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayaka Thera, working closely with him for the welfare of the society as well as for the Sasana.  The course of the action was based on the  fourfold aspects of development expounded by Buddha, ie. economic, educational, health and Moral Development, the cornerstones of the Dharmavijaya Foundation that serve the Sasana as well as the society,  paving the way for better standard at all  levels.

Group Chief HR Officer / Deputy General Manager – Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC.

Health Education and Community Health Specialist,

Medical Director – Medi-Calls (Pvt) Ltd.

Assistant General Manager – Bank of Ceylon (R)

Eye Specialist.
Community Ophthalmologist.

Superintendent of Audits (R) – Department of the State Auditor General’s Department.
Sri Lanka Audit Service.

Former Deputy General Manager – Human Resource / Former Chief Administrative Officer – Editorial – The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd,
Former Chief Administrative Officer – Editorial and General Administration – Lakbima Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd,
Former Chairman / Former Chief Executive Officer – Media Sales Advertising Company.

Former Manager Quality Control & Acceptance – Emirates Telecommunication Corporation, United Arab Emirates

Member Board of Governors and Past President Colombo YMBA,
Past President and Treasurer Dharmavijaya Foundation,
Hon Treasurer Buddha Sasana Karyasadaka Mandalaya,

Mechanical Engineer, Colombo Municipal Council – Water Supply and Drainage Division.