Page 44 - Peoples_Journal_Sri_Lanka

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ISSN 3121-3049
People's Journal Sri Lanka Volume 01, Issue 01

Rājasiṃha. A beautiful shrine with multiple Buddha statues was constructed
at Algama Rajamahā Vihāra in Potuhera, Kurunegala, another temple he had
received from the Saṅgharāja. The king also granted more than 100 acres of
land for the well-being of the temple through a deed (tudapat). This deed,
which is preserved at Saṅgharājārāmaya, clearly details the history of the
temple's construction as well as the movable and immovable items, including
the lands, that were offered by the king himself. (Saranankara, 2024, 98-102)

Venerable Vælivita Saranaṅkara II can be identified as a skillful Dhamma
preacher. After listening to a Dhamma sermon conducted by him, Dehigama
Disāva, a chieftain at the time, dedicated a piece of paddy land as an offering
through a deed at Meyyāgoda Vihāra in Yatinuvara. Venerable Vælivita
Saranaṅkara II was the Anunāyaka of Pōyamaḷu Vihāra (currently the
position of Deputy Prelate of the Malvatta Chapter, Siamese Sect) when the
British took over the country. In the Diary of Sir John Doyly, it is mentioned
that the British government, headed by Sir Robert Boundrig, has appointed
him as the chief incumbent of Adam's Peak, and in the year 1818 he was also
appointed as the Mahānāyaka of Pōyamaḷu Vihāra (now the position of Chief
Prelate of the Malvatta Chapter, Siamese Sect). (D'Oyly, 1995, 81)

After becoming the incumbent of Gadalādeṇiya Rajamahā Vihāra, he has
conducted various projects to preserve the temple, which had been in decline
for a long time. He constructed the monks' dwelling (āvāsa), which is still in
use today, built a granite seat for offering flowers to the Buddha statue at the
main shrine, renovated the roof of the main shrine, planted various trees such
as coconut, areca nut, jak in the temple garden, and constructed toilets and a
hall for partaking alms (dāna sālā).

Venerable Vælivita Saranaṅkara II passed away in 1822 after serving as the
Mahānāyaka of Pōyamaḷu Vihāra for nearly four years. According to the
excerpts from the editions of Samaranāyaka and Jayavardhana, SUV was
composed in 1821 CE. If this date of composition is accurate, it supports the
view that Venerable Vælivita Saranaṅkara II authored the work just one year
before his passing. Furthermore, it suggests that he may have commissioned
someone to write, as he was unwell at the time. This explanation is