The 122nd birth anniversary of Prof. Gunapala Malalasekera was celebrated at his statue on Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 by the officials of the ‘All Ceylon Buddhist Congress’ (ACBC) recently.
As the longest serving President of the ‘All Ceylon Buddhist Congress’ and the author of the Malalasekera English-Sinhala dictionary, he is widely respected for his work in the spheres of literature and diplomacy to promote Buddhism overseas. He is also one of the co-founders of the World Buddhist Congress.
Officials of the ACBC placed floral tributes at his statue on November 9, in memory of his valuable service to the country. President of the ACBC Chandra Nimal Wakista, World Buddhist Congress Sri Lanka Chapter President Dr.Sidath Devapura, and the Malalasekera Foundation Chairman Ashan Malalasekera were also present.
Prof. Malalasekera was born in 1899, at Malamulla Panadura and was named George Peiris Malalasekera. Under the influence of Anagarika Dharmapala he changed his name to Gunapala Piyasena.
After a brilliant school career, Prof. Gunapala Malalasekera entered the Medical Faculty at the age of eighteen. Unfortunately, he could not continue his study of Medicine as his father passed away.
However, he did not give up his studies and registered with the University College and obtained a BA (London) with first class honours. He had a teaching stint at the Ananda College during Principal P. de .S. Kularatne rising to the level of Vice Principal from assistant teacher before leaving for London for higher studies.
He obtained his MA and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Oriental Languages majoring in Pali at the University of London in 1925 and upon his return was appointed as the first Principal of newly established Nalanda College, Colombo. He was a Professor of Buddhist and Pali studies at the University of Ceylon and worked as the Head of Buddhist Encyclopaedia.
He did an enormous service to promote Buddhism internationally as Sri Lanka’s Envoy to Russia, Canada and later to the UK. Prof.Malalasekera passed away on April 23, 1973.