Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter of Siyam Nikaya Most Venerable Aggamahapanditha Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Rathanapala Mahanayaka Thera passed away early this morning.

The Mahanayaka Thera was undergoing treatment at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. His body will be brought to the country later in the day and will be taken to Kandy in a special vehicle procession. The funeral of Buddharakkitha Thera will take place on April 12.

Buddharakkhitha Thera was born on March 17, 1930, in the village of Udugama, Kurunegala District. He obtained ordination on July 21, 1945. Buddharakkitha Thera was appointed Chief Incumbent of Dambulla Raja Maha Viharaya in 1992. He became the Chief Prelate of Asgiriya Chapter on December 13, 1999.