Podi Hamuduruwo, also known as Dr. Galaboda Gnanissara Thera, was the chief incumbent of the Colombo Gangaramaya Temple. He passed away on Friday at the age of 81. He passed away while getting treatment at a private hospital in Colombo. He had been ill for some time.
“Podi Hamuduruwo departs this life”
Born on December 13, 1943, in the Matara Municipal Council village of Galaboda, he was ordained on November 8, 1954. With an emphasis on equality, compassion, and service to humanity, Podi Hamuduruwo devoted his life to practicing and propagating Buddhist values.
Since he was asked to take over the temple’s administration at the age of 16, he has started a number of community service projects in Sri Lanka. In 2003, the Malwatte Chapter appointed Thera as the Sanghanayaka of the Western Province. The community services he championed were mainly focused on vocational education, providing shelters for the elderly and children, and sanitation and cleanliness. Thera faced many personal challenges, but his faith and resilience inspired many in Sri Lanka and beyond. His teachings encouraged inner peace, selflessness, and the development of virtuous qualities for the betterment of individuals and society as a whole.
Gangaramaya Temple developed into a centre for community empowerment, education, and spiritual development under his direction. To improve people from all walks of life, he started a number of initiatives, such as educational workshops, career training, and charitable endeavours.
