About us – ශ්‍රී වාචීස්සරාරාම විහාරස්ථානය

History

The temple was founded in 1915. Before then, the Buddhists of Yatadolawatta worshipped at the Pantiya Mangala Viharaya and the Bopitiya Seelawanshaaramaya. The first piece of land, near the main Yatadolawatta junction, was offered by Upasaka Monis Thewarapperuma, and other village families gave more. A small residence with two rooms and a verandah was built on it and offered to the Sangha. Ven. Thiniyawala Sri Saranatissa Thero accepted it and became the first chief incumbent.

Ven. Saranatissa Thero led the temple until his death on 27 January 1985. He built the old Dharma hall, and in 1940 he started a school there with six children; today it is Sri Saranatissa Junior School. In 1946 he also began the Sri Vachissara Dhamma School.

Since 1985 the temple has been led by his pupil, Most Ven. Yatadolawatte Chandrasiri Nayaka Thero, who was ordained here in 1968. Under his guidance, and with the devotees of the village, the temple has grown into a complete place of worship with a stupa, a Tripitaka library and relic house, a new Dharma hall and a new alms hall.

Milestones

1915
The temple is founded
A small two-room residence is offered to the Sangha, and Ven. Thiniyawala Sri Saranatissa Thero becomes the first chief incumbent.
1940
A village school begins
Six children start lessons in the Dharma hall. Today it is Sri Saranatissa Junior School.
1946
Sri Vachissara Dhamma School
It opens with twelve children. Today 316 students attend.
1968
Ven. Chandrasiri is ordained
The present Chief Incumbent is ordained here under Ven. Saranatissa Thero.
1976
The sacred footprint
A carved footprint of the Buddha is made at Ven. Saranatissa Thero's wish.
1985
A new chief incumbent
Ven. Saranatissa Thero passes away on 27 January and Ven. Chandrasiri Thero succeeds him. The Sri Rahula Young Buddhist Society builds the monks' residence.
1991
The Bodhi enclosure
The first enclosure is built around the Bodhi tree.
2008
The stupa
The stupa and the Kataragama and Vishnu devalayas open on 14 May.
2012
Two-storey Dhamma school building
Opened on 12 February.
2013
Tripitaka library and relic house
Opened on 22 July.
2016
Work on the new Dharma hall begins
Construction starts on 17 October.
2025
New Dharma hall and alms hall
On 1 January the hall for nearly a thousand people, the new alms hall and the lamp house open.

Our monks

Most Ven. Thiniyawala Sri Saranatissa Nayaka Thero Founder and first chief incumbent, 1915–1985
Ven. Pimbure Chandima Thero Viharadhikari · Chief incumbent of Sri Sudarshanarama, Matugama
Ven. Yatadolawatte Shanthasiri Thero Pupil of the Chief Incumbent
Ven. Yatadolawatte Dhammasiri Thero Pupil of the Chief Incumbent
Ven. Alawathugoda Maithri Murthi Thero Pupil of the Chief Incumbent
Ven. Pimbure Chandraloka Thero Pupil of the Chief Incumbent
Ven. Walpahana Chandarathana Thero Pupil of the Chief Incumbent

Around the temple

Image house

Built in the time of Ven. Saranatissa Thero and his pupil Ven. Talagala Ananda Thero, and later renewed with the help of the dayakas.

Stupa

Opened on 14 May 2008. The main donors were the late Mr D. K. Samarasinghe Mudalali and Mrs B. E. Perera of Sirimedura, Yatadolawatta.

Bodhi tree

The enclosure around the Bodhi tree was first built in 1991 and later rebuilt with Mr and Mrs Sarath and Daya Thewarapperuma of Borupana, Ratmalana, and the villagers.

New Dharma hall

Begun on 17 October 2016 and opened on 1 January 2025, the hall has room for nearly a thousand people.

Tripitaka library and relic house

Opened on 22 July 2013, offered by Dr Rajitha Senaratne and his family in memory of his parents.

Sacred footprint

A carved footprint of the Buddha, made in 1976 (B.E. 2520) at the wish of the late Ven. Thiniyawala Saranatissa Nayaka Thero.

Perpetual lamp

An ever-burning lamp, opened on 5 May 2012. A new lamp house where devotees light oil lamps opened on 1 January 2025.

Devalayas and bell tower

The grounds also hold shrines to Saman, Kataragama, Vishnu, Pattini, Ganadevi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dadimunda and Ishwara, the bell tower and the flower altar.

Visiting

Find the temple

Sri Vachissararama Viharaya, Yatadolawatta, Matugama 12100, Sri Lanka

Please dress modestly in white or light colours, remove shoes and hats in the temple grounds, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue.

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