Most Venerable Dr. Diviyagaha Yasassi

Completion of 75 years as ordained monk

Saddharma Keerthi Sri Thripitakacharya Ven. Dr. Diviyagaha Yassassi Nayaka Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Bauddhayatanaya at Watarappala Road, Mount Lavinia and Chief of Judicial and Ecclesiastical Affairs of the Nava Korale in Colombo, has completed 75 years as an ordained priest.

Ven.Diviyagaha Yasassi Nayaka Thera was born in 1935, in the district of Matara to Mr. and Mrs. Ratnayake, reputed parents hailing from Diyagaha, Matara and ordained as a novice monk in 1947 and obtained higher ordination of Upasampada in 1955. He received his primary education at Sri Sudassi Pirivena, Matara and higher education at Vidyodaya Pirivena and obtained the Bachelor’s Degree from the Vidyodaya University. In 1980, Ven. Yasassi Thero obtained the professional qualification, Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University Colombo.

Starting from 1962, Venerable Nayaka Thero rendered his services as a teacher in Pirivenas and schools in Matara and Kaduwela, finally appointed to Ananda College in 1970. Out of his dedicated teaching career which spans almost 30 years, Nayaka Thera has served at Ananda College, Colombo for 21 years as a teacher and as a Deputy Principal. His praiseworthy contribution and dedication to the literary world by writing books on Buddhist doctrine and on subjects such as history of Sri Lanka were beneficial to students as well as to laymen. The attempt he has done not only to develop cognitive domain but to develop affective characteristics of students as well is evidenced by the reputation gained by great citizens living in Sri Lanka and abroad.

Venerable Yasassi Nayaka Thero possesses excellent skills in expanding Buddhist doctrine and has propagated Buddhism through discussions and conferences. Dedication to philanthropic activities is one of the significant characteristics of the venerable Nayaka Thera. Dhamma School commenced in 1992 in the Dharmayathanaya is functioning well with thousands of students learning in both Sinhala and English media. Through the Dayaka Sabava of the Bauddhayathana Temple of Mount Lavinia, the Nayaka Thera carried out yeomen service for improving the life of rural and less privileged villagers, helping and developing rural temples and those in the previous war zone and adjacent areas. Another project carried out for eight years under the patronage of the Nayaka Thera was the rescuing of cattle from slaughtering and distributing them among the village community to bring them up as one of their income generating activities. As there were practical problems Nayaka Thera suggested another programme in 2015 to award scholarships to economically handicapped schoolchildren. A monthly allowance of Rs. 2500 each was given to students selected from upper secondary education level. To date 285 scholarships have been awarded to needy students selected from all over the country. There are 48 university students among them.

In recognition of the national, religious, social and educational services rendered locally and internationally by Ven. Diviyagaha Yasassi Nayaka Thera was awarded an Honorary Doctorate on January 24th 2020 at the BMICH by the Vice Chancellor of the Lincoln University of Malaysia.

Ven. DiviyagahaYassassi Thera has made accurate and daring decisions in facing national problems and has also been an advisor to governments. He served as a member of the 2600 Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi President’s Committee and is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Ministry of Buddhist Affairs. He currently serves as a member of the committee appointed by the President for declaring Tripitaka as a World Heritage and is Chairman of the Buddha Sasana Task Force.

Panseththewasaraka Yathiwara Yaso Raavaya

a volume prepared on the life of Ven. Diviyagaha Yasassi Thero will be launched and scholarships will be awarded to a new set of students on 16th December 2022 at a felicitation ceremony at Ananda College organised by the old Anandians and the Bauddayathana Dayaka Sabawa.

We all wish Ven. Nayaka Thera will be able to carry out esteemed services to the Sasana, and the country for many more years with the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem.

Prof. Raja Gunawardhane

Former Dean of the Faculty of Education

University of Colombo