User:Lasith Raviprabath Wijewardhana/sandbox

He was born on the 5th January 1950 in a remote village called BANAGALA in the southern Province of SRI LANKA. At the age of 17 he was ordained as a pupil Buddhist Monk [SAMANERA] under the most Venerable HEDIGALLE PANNATISSA Maha Nayaka Thera, The then Chief Sangha Nayaka for INDIA. He had his primary education in Sri Lanka and entered the Buddhist Missionary Service and training under THE MAHABODHI SOCIEＴY from 1961. Had his secondary education at MAHABODHI INTER COLLEGE, VARANASI, INDIA.He was also awarded Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees for his higher studies from Indian Universities.

Energetic young monk received his higher ORDINATION in 1970. He mastered the Japanese Language in JAPAN during 1976, obtained a Diploma having followed a course in child education and specialised in the same subject. His dedication for child education opened the way to establish 14 KINDERGARTENS in Sri Lanka with the assistance of eminent personalities and Venerable Priests in Japan.He established LANKA-JI[TEMPLE]and The Government of Japan, legally recognised it by vesting the status of SHUKYO HOJIN. Being the head of the Lanka-Ji he established the Japan Sri Lanka Buddhist and Cultural Centre. His noble services elevated him to be the Chief Head Priest for Sri Lanka in Japan. Further he was honoured to be the Head Priest of MAHABODHI AGGRA SRAWAKA MAHA VIHARA, where the holy relics of SARIPUTTA and MOGGALLANA MAHA THERA'S(The Chief disciples of Buddha)kept. The Government of Sri Lanka in recognising his contributions for social development and Rehabilitation made Rev, BANAGALA UPATISSA, the Authorised Representative of the Ministry of Social Services in Japan for the subjects connected with persons who are disabled,