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'If not for the Panadura Vadaya Col. Olcott may not have come to Lanka'

by Colombo East Group Correspondent

The Director, Dharmapala-Olcott Memorial Foundation of Sri Lanka, Dr. Risiman Amarasinghe addressing a public meeting sponsored by the Colombo South Research Circle, at Suvisuddharama Hall, Wellawatte recently on 'Architects of the Buddhist Revivalist Movement of Lanka' said that the Panadura Vadaya or the Panadura Controversy activated this movement. But for the victory registered by the redoubtable orator and debater, Ven. Migettuwatte Gunananda Maha Thera in the Panadura Controversy on August 1873, receiving publicity in America, Col. Henry Steele Olcott may not have come to Lanka to launch a Buddhist Revivalist Movement and its Buddhist educational program.

He first founded the Galle Buddhist Theosophical Society in May 1880 followed by the Colombo Buddhist Theosophical Society in June 1880, which was more influential to become the main centre of Buddhist educational and religious activity. Col. Olcott was ably supported by Ven. Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera, Ven. Hikkaduwe Sumangala Thera, Col. Olcott's intimate friend Lansage Don Andiris Perera Dharmagunawardena, Abensuge Carolis Poojita Gunawardena, Hewavitaranage Don Carolis, Hewavitaranage Don David, later Anagarika Dharmapala and a few other prominent persons from Balapitiya, Panadura and Colombo.

Col. Olcott founded the Buddhist Theosophical Society in Colombo on June 17, 1880 to promote Buddhist education, Buddhist ethics and ideals and establish Buddhist schools in the island. Abensuge Carolis Poojita Gunawardena who joined this society in 1882 was elected its Secretary a few months later. He functioned as Secretary until 1887.

Again he was Secretary from 1890 to 1897 and from 1910 to 1920. He was also its Treasurer from 1910 to 1914. Lansage Don Andiris Perera Dharmagunawardena was elected the President of the Colombo Buddhist Theosophical Society in 1883, which position he held until his death in 1889.

In January 28, 1884 Col. Olcott formed the Buddhist Defence Committee to strengthen and propagate Buddhist activities. Lansage Don Andiris Perera Dharmagunawardena was elected its President, his son-in-law Hewavitaranage Don Carolis was elected Vice President, H. A. Fernando its Treasurer and Abensuge Carolis Poojita Gunawardena, Secretary.

Lansage Don Andiris Perera Dharmagunawardena belonged to the coconut land owning gentry of Matara, born at Medawatta. He came to Colombo and established a flourishing timber business of which he was a pioneer among the Sinhalese in the capital city. He owned many houses and land properties in Colombo. Hence he donated the land to establish the Vidyodaya Pirivena at Maligakanda in Maradana. This is what Col. Olcott stated in the Buddhist Journal, The Buddhist edited by E. A. Bultjens, the then Principal of Ananda College, sponsored by Col. Olcott, of Dharmagunawardena when he died, "One of the staunchest, most unselfish and zealous Buddhists of Ceylon died on Thursday night, at his residence in Colombo, aged 80 years.

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