Gangaramaya is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo - much more than a temple in the conventional sense, but a place of worship, a seat of learning, and a cultural centre. It was started by the famous scholar monk Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera in the late 19th century. After the Venerable Sri Sumangala, his chief pupil Devundera Sri Jinaratana Nayake Thera took on the administration of the temple. It was he who laid the foundation to convert the little temple into an institute of international reckoning. The next chief incumbent continued this work, and eventually the Ven. Galboda Gnanissara took over, the monk who made