Pradeep Nilanga Dela has been elected for a third term as the 19th Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, securing 195 votes in the official election held today (07).

He will continue to serve in this prestigious role, as the chief lay custodian of the Sacred Tooth Relic, until the year 2035, completing a 10-year term.

The election was conducted at 2:00 pm at the United Buddhist Centre Auditorium in Kandy, under the provisions of the Vihara Devalagam Ordinance No. 19 of 1931, which grants authority to the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs to oversee the process.

This year’s election saw 7 candidates contesting, with 362 eligible voters participating. 

The electorate included chief incumbents of 157 royal temples across 16 districts of the former Kandyan Kingdom, 170 Divisional Secretaries, 31 Basnayake Nilames, 4 lay custodians of temples and shrines, and the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theras of Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters.

Pradeep Nilanga Dela has already served 20 years in this role, and his reappointment reflects continued trust in his stewardship of one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred institutions. (Newswire)

The post Pradeep Nilanga Dela re-elected Diyawadana Nilame appeared first on Newswire.

All arrangements have been finalized for the selection meeting to appoint a new Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, scheduled for tomorrow (07).

It is reported that the election will take place at the Senkadagala Buddhist Hall, under the leadership of the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs.

The following candidates have been officially announced:

• Pradeep Nilanga Dela – Current Acting Diyawadana Nilame
• Daminda Bandara Udurawana – Chief Custodian of the Kataragama Maha Devalaya and Pasgama Sri Natha Devalaya
• A.W.S. Bandaranayake – Chief Custodian of the Natha Devalaya and Embekke Sri Kataragama Devalaya
• Prof. Tilak Subasinghe – Department of Business Finance, Faculty of Management, University of Peradeniya
• Gamini Kaluhendiwala – Science graduate, University of Peradeniya
• Roshan Priyadarshana – Businessman and Chief Custodian of Badulla Sonuththara Raja Maha Viharaya and Sathara Maha Devalaya
• Nanda Madugalle – Retired Army Colonel

The newly appointed Nilame will hold office until 2035, in accordance with the Temple and Devalagam Ordinance.

According to the Department of Buddhist Affairs, 267 individuals are eligible to vote in this selection process, including members of the Maha Sangha.

Eligible voters include 157 clergy and lay custodians from royal temples within the former Kandyan Kingdom, 71 Divisional Secretaries from the region, and 29 Chief Custodians of devalayas gazetted under the Temple and Devalagam Ordinance.

Although 31 devalayas are entitled to vote, candidates Daminda Bandara Udurawana and A.W.S. Bandaranayake each hold custodianship of two devalayas, and may vote representing only one, limiting the total number of custodian votes to 29.

Entry to the meeting hall is restricted to official candidates and eligible voters. Any candidate whose nomination is not formally validated will not be permitted to remain inside the hall.

Since the Kandyan Kingdom came under British rule, 19 individuals have served as Diyawadana Nilame. (Newswire)

The post Election of new Diyawadana Nilame to take place in Kandy tomorrow appeared first on Newswire.