Father, son find solace as bhikkus after family tragedy | Daily News

Father, son find solace as bhikkus after family tragedy

Ven. Batugampala Pangnaloka (son) and Ven. Batugampala Visuddhalankara (father) with their teachers Ven. Jagulle Somaloka and Ven.Athimale Saddhalankara Theras.
Ven. Batugampala Pangnaloka (son) and Ven. Batugampala Visuddhalankara (father) with their teachers Ven. Jagulle Somaloka and Ven.Athimale Saddhalankara Theras.

A 42-year-old man and his 14-year-old son who lost several family members in a tragic accident over seven years ago, entered monastic life at the Nimalagama Temple in Batugampola, near Ingiriya.

On January 26, 2012, Susantha Sanjeewa Ginimalage of Batugampala, Handapangoda, was returning from a funeral with his family when, shortly after midnight, the van in which they were travelling caught fire, in Alamodara, Kalutara.

Four members of his family including his wife, children, and mother-in-law were burnt to death, while seven others including Susantha and his son were admitted to the Nagoda Hospital.

Both Susantha and his son survived with serious burns, while his daughter was also saved because his wife threw her out of the van, through the flames.

At the time of the incident, Susantha was working at the Panagoda Army Camp.

The police reported at the time that there was no petrol tank in the van and the vehicle had been powered by petrol which flowed through a tube from a plastic can. It was also reported that there was another petrol can in the back of the van, which caused the fire to intensify.

After the tragedy, Susantha, always wished to enter monastic life, but he had to care for his son and daughter.

His son also had the same desire and was recently ordained as Ven. Batugampala Pangnaloka Thera at the Nimalagama Temple and later, Susantha too was ordained Ven. Batugampala Visuddhalankara Thera, after he legally entrusted his daughter to his brother.

Both father and son entered monastic life under the tutelage of the Chief Incumbent of Sri Gangathilaka Temple in Panalla, Mulkatiyagoda, Ven. Jagulle Somaloka Thera and the Chief Incumbent of Nimalagama Temple, Ven. Athimale Saddhalankara Thera.

A welcome ceremony was held recently at the Nimalagama Temple to welcome them into monkhood.


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