The 126th birth anniversary of Professor Gunapala Malalasekera—an immortal name in Sri Lankan history, a distinguished national, religious, and cultural leader, a revered former President who served the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress for 19 years with great honour, a former General Secretary, the founder and first President of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, the compiler of the renowned Malalasekera Dictionary, and a devoted guardian of the Buddha Sasana—was commemorated on Sunday, 09 November 2025, at the headquarters of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress in Colombo 07, by offering floral tributes to his statue.
The commemoration ceremony was held under the patronage of the President of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, Mr. Chandra Nimal Wakishta, and the Chairman of the Malalasekera Foundation, Mr. Ashan Malalasekera, with the participation of the Most Venerable Professor Kongasthenne Ananda Nayaka Thero, Chief Sanghanayake of the Sabaragamuwa Province of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya and a respected member of the Congress’ Advisory Council; the Venerable Dr. Vaithara Mahinda Nayaka Thero; and other distinguished clergy and officials.
A special commemorative lecture was delivered by Dr. Palitha Kohona, former Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an Executive Advisor to the National Council for International Affairs. Members of the Executive Committee of the Congress, general members, activists of the Malalasekera Foundation, as well as school and Dhamma school children representing their institutions, also attended the event.”
