Senaka Weeraratna Hony. Secretary German Dharmaduta Society

It is with great sadness that I am conveying to you the heartbreaking news of the death of our close friend and dedicated Buddhist worker, Mr. D. Ananda de Silva, Assistant Secretary, German Dharmaduta Society. I have been informed by his son Renuka that his father died early morning today (at 4.30 a.m.) from Liver failure. He was ailing for some time and during the last few months he spent time in Hospital. He was 79 years old.

He is survived by three children, two sons Priyanka and Renuka and daughter, Sangeethika. His wife Mrs. Dharshani Fernando passed away in early February 2018.

On behalf of the German Dharmaduta Society I have taken the liberty of sending out to members of his family, our most heartfelt condolences and sympathy. Ananda will be deeply missed. This is truly a great loss to the German Dharmaduta Society and to the entire Buddhist community.

Since year 1963 Ananda de Silva has been closely associated with the German Dharmaduta Society. He came into contact with Asoka Weeraratna, when he responded to an advertisement in 1963 calling for volunteers to obtain training in meditation with a view to joining the Sangha. He spent time at Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya at the time of its founding in 1967, as a disciple of Ven. Matara Sri Nanarama Maha Thero.

He also visited Germany and resided at the Berlin Vihara (Das Buddhistische Haus) for a couple of years in the early 1980s, assisting the Resident monks and the management of the Berlin Temple. He was closely associated with Asoka Weeraratna ( later Ven. Mitirigala Dhammanissanti Thero) in several of his projects including the public campaign calling on the Govt. of Sri Lanka under President R. Premadasa to withdraw state patronage to the Inland Fisheries scheme. It resulted finally in President Premadasa discontinuing state sponsorship of Inland Fisheries in 1990 and thereby preventing Buddhists from embracing wrong livelihoods.

Ananda de Silva became an Instructor in Meditation. He also served the German Dharmaduta Society  in the capacity of Assistant Secretary for about 15 years until the time of his passing.

He was a good public speaker and a talented writer in Sinhala. In these respects he was a great asset to the work of the GDS. He inherited literary skills from his father who was committed to reading and writing. He has several brothers some of whom are in the field of Education. One brother is the Principal of Dewapathiraja College, Ambalangoda.

The funeral will take place on Monday April 23, 2018 at Pokunuwita, Henagama. The remains of the late Ananda de Silva will be kept for viewing until 3.00 p.m. on April 23, at his residence at 237 / 4, Henegama, Pokunuwita (Panadura / Horana main Road).

Tel. contact no. 0777 298 458 (Renuka de Silva).

May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.

Senaka Weeraratna

Hony. Secretary

German Dharmaduta Society

April 21, 2018