Prisoner sentenced to death... placed third in Sri Lanka's Abhidhamma Exam

Prisoner sentenced to death... placed third in Sri Lanka's Abhidhamma Exam

An incident where a prisoner who was sentenced to jail as capital punishment because of a case of homicide resulting from a violent temper had gone through religious books in jail and after studying them seriously had later changed his life and had even achieved a record of victory is reported from Pallekele Prisons in Kandy. This person who now functions as a resident teacher of the jail has
clinched third position in the Abhidhamma Examination held in the island in the year 2015. 

Coming into the midst of a family dispute in the year 2006 he had been found guilty for the crime of murdering a person and sentenced to jail and from the year 2007 he had got accustomed to perusing literature on the Abhidhamma while within the four walls of the prison. Books etcetera by Ven. Rerukane Chandawimala Thera in particular has had a notable influence in making a change in his life. This prisoner who has got used to a religious way of life had initially sat for the dahan pasel examination in the year 2012. Subsequently he had volunteered to sit for dhamma exams held by the Young Buddhist Association in 2013 and 2014 on his own frre will. It was after that, that he had achieved the position of being placed third in the whole island by claiming outstanding awards at the diploma exam on Abhidhamma organised by the Young Buddhist Association in 2015. He operates as a resident teacher of the Sri Sucharithodaya Daham Pasela conducted by the prison and also as the leader of the 'gihipirith' group. He was granted amnesty from the death sentence last year on Vesak Pota Day and is thus now leading a sentence of lifetime punishment. 

He has stated that the despondency he was overcome with over the blunders that he had done was dispelled through the understanding of the dhamma. What prison authorities mention is that everyone is pleased over his pleasant comportment and in time to come the authorities would be taking steps to grant him freedom. Prison authorities have commented that the personal development this person has acquired is certainly a living example in an environment of inmates who instead of even after having been imprisoned due to various reasons have still not learned their lesson and keep continuing committing the same mistakes as before is seen in plenty.