Ven. Anagarika Dharmapala - a noble son of Sri Lanka

 In the history of Sri Lanka, there were noble personalities who had a deep sense of patriotism and nationalism. From them, Anagarika Dharmapala secured a distinguished place as he tried to inspire the people who had their religion neglected. This son of Mother Lanka worked with perseverance for the welfare of the Buddhists. He was born to Hewavitharane family, a wealthy Sinhalese family on 17th Seotember 1864 and was named Don David in keeping with the practice of the time when parents named their children with English names. At that time the country had been under British control and Christianity had replaced Buddhism as the religion of much of the population. Young David was sent to missionary schools but he didn't lose his belief in Buddhism. Influenced by venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera and venerable Migettuwaththe Sri Gunananda Thera he preferred Buddhists simple life style. After joining Theosophical society he assisted Colonel Henry steel Olcott to open Buddhist schools throughout the country and revitalize Buddhism. He assisted in opening more than 300 schools in Ceylon. He gave up his family wealth and changed his name to Dharmapala. He dedicated himself to a life following the rules of Buddhism and wore a yellow robe as a Buddhist monk. When he visited India he was distressed to find Buddhist shrines in poor condition. He returned to Ceylon and founded "The Mahabodhi society" in order to restore the temples as well as teaching and promoting Buddhism in Ceylon, India and other countries. He spoke emotionally and intelligently of his religion criticizing the British administration in Ceylon. Towards the end of his life he decided to settle in India as he gained many enemies in his efforts to promote Sinhalese nationalism and independent Ceylon. On 31st July 1931 he was ordained as a Buddhist monk with the name Sri Devamitta Dharmapala. He died at Sarnath on 29th April 1933 and his last words were " Let me be reborn ….. I would like to be born again twenty five times to spread Lord Buddha's Dhamma"