Who is this Eethalawetunuwewe Thero who came instead of Pallegama Thero?

Venerable Eethalawetunuwewe Gnanathilaka Nayaka Thero, the Chief Incumbent of Ruwanweli Maha Seya, has been appointed to temporarily fulfill the responsibilities of the Atamasthanadhipathi (Chief Incumbent of the Eight Sacred Places) of Anuradhapura. This appointment has been made according to a special announcement issued by the Malwathu Maha Viharaya, and His Holiness will cover the duties of this position until the ongoing legal process concerning the current Atamasthanadhipathi, Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, concludes.

The Atamasthana Committee of the Malwathu Maha Viharaya has decided to entrust this responsibility to Venerable Gnanathilaka Thero, who also holds the position of Chief Sanghanayaka of the North Central Province, with the aim of ensuring the continuous administration of the historic sacred site.

Venerable Gnanathilaka Thero, who was born in Pirappanmaduwa village, belonging to the Mamaduwa area in Vavuniya District, entered the monastic life and was ordained at the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Viharaya. His Holiness received primary religious and academic education from Maha Vihara Pirivena and Sandalankawa Shasthrodhaya Pirivena. Subsequently, His Holiness pursued higher education at the Sri Lanka Pali and Buddhist University as well as the University of Kelaniya, thereby working to broaden his academic background.

As a prominent Buddhist leader in Sri Lanka, His Holiness previously served as the Chief Incumbent of Mirisawetiya Rajamaha Viharaya and also served as the Chancellor of Rajarata University for several years. With the appointment of Nayaka Thero Pallegama Hemarathana to the Atamasthanadhipathi position in Anuradhapura, the responsibilities of Chief Incumbent and Chaithyaramaadhipathi of Ruwanweli Seya Viharaya were entrusted to Venerable Gnanathilaka Thero. His Holiness's contribution to protecting the Buddhist heritage and promoting educational activities in the Rajarata region is noteworthy.

The overall leadership and administrative responsibility for the historic Atamasthana (Eight Sacred Places) complexes located in the Anuradhapura sacred city, namely Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Thuparamaya, Jetavanaramaya, Abhayagiriya, Lovamahapaya, Mirisawetiya, and Lankarama, are vested in the Atamasthanadhipathi position. The Nayaka Theros holding this position coordinate daily religious rituals, provide necessary facilities for pilgrims, conserve the sacred sites, and work with the state sector and the Maha Nayaka Theros of the three Nikayas (sects). A permanent decision regarding this position is expected after a court ruling, and until then, Venerable Gnanathilaka Thero will fulfill this supreme religious responsibility under the guidance of the Atamasthana Committee.