Religious ceremonies to mark Podi Hamuduruwo’s birthday today 

The 80th birthday of Venerable Galaboda Gnanissara Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple, popularly known as Podi Hamuduruwo, falls today (14), and the temple has organised a series of religious ceremonies to mark the occasion.

Podi Hamuduruwo, hailing from Galaboda, in Matara, was born on December 14, 1943, and was ordained as a priest in 1954 at the age of 10, under the tutelage of Ven. Devundara Vachissara Thera, who was the Chief incumbent of the Gangaramaya at the time. The little priest of the temple from that day onwards became known as Podi Hamuduruwo. He has trained a generation of Bhikkhus within the Gangaramaya Temple who would follow his path and continue his vision. On his birthday we wish good health, happiness and longevity to Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara Thera.