Praveenacharya Damma Kiththi Sri Ven. Navadagala Paduma Kiththi Tissa Thero- the Cief Sanganayake of the Northern Province is the chief Incumbent of Nagadeepa Purana Raja Maha Viharaya since 1993. He inherits from a great Sanga Paramparawa who loved the country as well as Buddha Sasana and was unshaken during the time of foreign invaders in the past.

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He was born at Navadagala, Elpitiya on 3rd April 1961. He was the last in a family of eight. His father was Mr. Beetin Mendis of Pinwatte, Panadura, and mother was Mrs. Muthumini Rosalin Nona of Mohottiwatta, Balapitiya. His lay name was Pathmasiri Mendis and had his primary education at Navadagala Vidyalaya.

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From his childhood he was keen and dedicated to the religion and was faithful to Maha Sanga. The Maha Nayake Thero of Amarapura Nikaya and also the chief priest of Nagadeepa Viharaya, Rajakeeya Panditha Ven. Brahmmana Watte Damma Kiththi Tissa Nayake Thero had observed the peculiar behaviors of this child Pathmasiri and was willing to recruit him as one of his pupils. He was then taken to Nagadeepa Viharaya and there he was ordained as a Samanera Bikku as a pupil of the Maha Nayake Thero on 14th July 1973.

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He had his basic religious education from his Maha Nayake Thero and then admitted to Dematagoda Vidya Lankara Maha Pirivena and later to the Saranande Maha Pirivena in Anuradhapura. Unfortunately, he had to stop his higher studies and returned to the temple at Nagadeepa and stay with the chief priest as terrorist activities erupted in the North. However on reaching his appropriate age he entered into higher ordination on 11th July 1985 at Balapitiya Modara Udakuthchepa Seema Malakaya.

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At this time the terrorism in the North was at peak and the Nagadeepa Temple and the lives of the incumbent monks were in danger. Therefore they were compelled to call the SL Navy for their security. The Commander of the Navy at that time, Admiral Asoka de Silva stationed a Navy detachment at the temple premises and has given full security to the temple as well as to the Maha Sanga and offered Dhane on time.

Despite of undergoing hardship Maha Sanga also attended to all religious matters of the SLN and SL Army as and when called for without any hesitation. It should be mentioned that Nagadeepa Viharaya was the only temple in the North where Buddhist monks lived throughout the terrorist activities for 30 years and it is also with great gratitude we mention that the two incumbent monks at that time were chief Incumbent Ven. Brahmana Watte Damma Kiththi Tissa Maha Nayake Thero of Amarapura Nikaya and his pupil Ven. Navadagala Paduma Kiththi Tissa the present chief Incumbent of Nagadeepa. Although there was terrorism at peak these two bikkus never failed to attend to the religious activities of the armed forces as well as to the wellbeing of Tamil people lived around.

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During this period the Maha Nayaka thero has fallen ill and was given the best possible medical treatments by the Sri Lanka Navy. Later the Commander of the Navy at that time Admiral Daya Sandagiri made arrangements to transfer him to the Naval Hospital in Colombo where he passed away. Navadagala Paduma Kiththi Tissa thero with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Navy made all arrangements for the funeral of the Maha Nayake thero giving all the due respect.

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Later Ven. Navadagala Paduma Kiththi Tissa Thero was appointed as the chief incumbent of the Nagadeepa Raja Maha Viharaya and the full responsibility and the administration was fallen on the hands of one Nayake Thero. Since 1993 to date he is the Nayake Thero of Nagadeepa Raja Maha Viharaya. As a true disciple of Lord Buddha he has been straight forward and spoke only what is correct. He was thoroughly against the peace accord, the government signed with the Tamil terrorists. He explained the gravity and repercussions of this agreement to the people visited the Nagadeepa Viharaya. What he believed was that the Sinhala Buddhists need not bow down to the Tamil terrorists. As the chief incumbent mentioned it didn’t take a long time for the terrorists to breach the agreement and start terrorism as usual and for the luck of Sri Lankans the present government was able to eradicate terrorism and liberate Sri Lanka. Now the people in both north and south are living in harmony and people from south can freely travel to north and vice versa. As a result pilgrims from south move in thousands to worship the Nagadeepa Viharaya daily.

During his tenure he was able to replace the Palmyra leaves fence with a golden fence (Ranweta) and Eth Pavura (wall with the heads of elephant tuskers) and given a new appearance to the temple. For all these new constructions Mr. Namal Rajapaksa member of Parliament is with our chief Incumbent and extended his full support and financial assistance.

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The new chief Incumbent make his best to speak to each and every person or group who visit the temple and also does a great service to Buddha Sasana. Considering the social and religious service to the nation and to Buddha sasana chief Sanga Nayake of Ambagaspitiya Sector of Amarapura Nikaya and the Sanga Sabawa has awarded title Praveenacharya Damma Kiththi Sri and appointed him as the chief Sanganayake of the Northern Area and the Sri Lanka government has honored him by appointing as a Justices of Peace to the whole island.

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We wish him whole heartedly a long life to enable him to serve our Nation and Buddha Sasana.