Senaka Weeraratna

The German Dharmaduta Society (GDS) recently held a book donation event for the children of Udaragama Primary School, a remote school located in the Medirigiriya District of Polonnaruwa. The donation included exercise books and CR books, essential for the students’ education.

The event was spearheaded by Ven. Pelane Dhamma Kusala Thera, the Chief Monk of Das Buddhistische Haus (Berlin Maha Viharaya) in Germany, with funding collected from his international donors, known as dayakayas. This marks the second annual book distribution event initiated by Ven. Dhamma Kusala Thera, with the first taking place at a different school in Polonnaruwa in December 2023.

The distribution event was coordinated by Keminda Silva, the long-serving Administration Secretary of the GDS. The guests at the ceremony included Senaka Weeraratna (Secretary, GDS), Priyanka Denukedeniya (Principal, Udaragama Primary School), WAS Wejarthna (Principal, Mahinda Maha Vidyalaya, Medirigiriya), Peggy Moeller (German National and Buddhist Social Worker), Wickrama Jayawickrema (TV and YouTube Programme Producer), S Dhammika Silva (wife of Keminda Silva), and the Members of the Udaragama Primary School teaching staff.

As part of the welcoming ceremony, the school children performed several musical items. Refreshments, including a traditional plant-based vegetarian lunch, were served to all attendees.

During the event, Senaka Weeraratna delivered a speech and donated copies of the recently published book 100 Years Das Buddhistische Haus,” which commemorates the centenary of the founding of Das Buddhistische Haus (1924–2024), to the Principals of Udaragama Primary School and Mahinda Maha Vidyalaya, Medirigiriya.

A large number of students and parents were present to witness the occasion. A group photograph captured the officials of the German Dharmaduta Society alongside the staff of Udaragama Primary School.