Sri Lanka’s Top Buddhist Monk Passes Away After a Fall

Galagama Attadassi Thero was at one of the highest positions held by a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka.

Galagama Attadassi Thero with former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa. (Photo: Facebook)

One of Sri Lanka’s most venerated Buddhist monk, Galagama Attadassi Thero, passed away on Wednesday after suffering a fall.

He was the chief prelate of the Asgiriya chapter of the Siam sect, one of the highest positions held by a Buddhist monk in the island nation.

Thero was hospitalised earlier on Wednesday after he suffered a fall within the temple premises and was rushed to the Kandy Hospital in the Central Hills of the country. He was 94 years old.  

Local media reports said that he was unconscious at the time he was admitted to hospital.

Thero was appointed as the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya chapter in May 2015, following the passing away of Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thera.