A leading Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, Venerable Dr Kirinde Assaji, has been conferred a Lifetime Achievement Honour Award by Canterbury Christ Church University in the United Kingdom, in recognition of his decades-long contribution to spiritual leadership, education, and community service.
The award was presented on 1 April at a ceremony held at the university’s chapel in Canterbury, during an official visit by the monk.
Dr Assaji, who serves as the Chief Incumbent of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo and the Sanghanayaka of the Western Province, has been widely recognised for his role in promoting interfaith harmony, social development, and religious leadership both in Sri Lanka and internationally.
According to the university, the honour acknowledges his sustained efforts to advance peace, compassion, and unity, alongside initiatives aimed at empowering rural communities, supporting women and children, and promoting sustainable development.
University officials noted that his work reflects a rare combination of spiritual guidance and practical leadership, which has positively impacted thousands of lives.
The ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries, including Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, who highlighted the global influence of Sri Lanka’s spiritual traditions.
Also present were Chairman of the Tourism and Cultural Task Force Dulan Hettiarachchi and Chairman of IDM Nations Campus International Janagan Vinayagamoorthy.
Senior university officials, including Vice-Chancellor Professor Rama Thirunamachandran and Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohamed Abdel-Maguid, officiated the event and formally presented the award.
In his acceptance speech, Dr Assaji expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating that the honour was shared with the communities he has served over the years.
“True peace begins within ourselves. When there is peace in the mind, there will be peace in the world,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of integrating moral and spiritual values with modern education, noting that sustainable progress depends on compassion, understanding, and wisdom.
During his visit, Dr Assaji also participated in a series of engagements aimed at strengthening cultural and academic ties between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom, including interfaith discussions and institutional visits.
Observers say the recognition marks not only an individual achievement but also a broader opportunity to enhance collaboration between the two countries in areas such as higher education, cultural exchange, and sustainable development.
