Weligama Sri Sumangala

Biography Weligama Sri Sumangala, a Buddhist High Priest of Ceylon, and a distinguished scholar whose place it will be hard to fill. He was in his eighty-second year and had led a life of remarkable usefulness. Born in Weligama, he came of one of the oldest and most respected families of the southern provinces. His father intended him to follow the medical profession but a serious illness compelled him to relinquish the plan, while the suffering he experienced at the time led him to abandon wealth and ease and give his life to the service of humanity. He entered the Buddhist priesthood when only twelve years of age, and received his education under the High Priest Bentota who was one of the most famous Sanskrit scholars of his day.

The Rev. Sumangala belonged to the Amarapura Nikaya of Buddhist priests, and in 1894 Sri Sumangala Girls College, Panadura Sri Sumangala Boys College, Weligama Sri Sumangala Girls College, Weligama