Neranjan Wijeyeratne

Neranjan Priyadarshana Dullewe Wijeyeratne (Sinhala: නෙරංජන් ප්‍රියදර්ශන දූල්ලෑව විජයරත්න) (born 9 August 1956) (known as Neranjan Wijeyeratne) is a Sri Lankan. He was Diyawadana Nilame (Chief lay Custodian) of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy for 20 years from 1985 to 2005. Wijeyeratne was former United National Party politician and ex chief organiser for the Galagedara Electorate in Kandy District and former Leader of the Opposition in the Kandy Municipal Council.

Neranjan Wijeyeratne
නෙරංජන් විජයරත්න
Diyawadana Nilame of the
Temple of the Tooth
In office
1985–2005
Basnayake Nilame of Lankathilaka Maha Vishnu Devalaya, Kandy
Personal details
Born (1956-08-09) 9 August 1956
Kandy Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
Political partyUnited National Party
Spouse(s)Devika Wijeyeratne
(née Mediwake)
ChildrenMokshana & Navindra
ParentsNissanka Wijeyeratne
(father)
Nita Wijeyeratne
(née Dullewe)
(mother)
ResidenceMeeduma Walauwa,
Rambukkana, Sri Lanka.
Alma materRoyal College, Colombo

Early life
Neranjan with his grandfather Sir Edwin Wijeyeratne (former Minister of Home Affairs and Rural Development)

Born to Nissanka Wijeyeratne & Nita Dullewe Wijeyeratne he is the eldest of three brothers and a sister.[1] They are Mano, Anuradha, Lankesh & Nishangani. His father Nissanka Wijeyeratne and grandfather Sir Edwin Wijeyeratne were prominent politicians who had become cabinet ministers and his brothers Mano was a Non-Cabinet Minister of Enterprise Development and Plantation Services and Anuradha is a former Provincial Councillor and had been the Acting Diyawadana Nilame on several occasions. Neranjan Wijeyeratne was educated at Royal College, Colombo.

Diyawadana Nilame

Following his father's footsteps, he was elected Diyawadana Nilame (Chief lay Custodian) of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy in March 1985 and served for a total of 20 years, until 2005, being re-elected once again in May 1995. Prior to being named the Diyawadana Nilame he served a term of 5 years as Basnayake Nilame (Lay Custodian) of Lankathilaka Maha Vishnu devalaya, Kandy. He was noted for his ability when the temple was restored following the LTTE bombing in 1998.[2][3][4][5] He was also responsible for the construction of the famous 'golden fence' around Sri Dalada maligawa. He set up the Dalada Museum, which houses a historic collection of artifacts related to the Temple of the Tooth and Buddhism in Sri Lanka.[6] The 'Temple of the Tooth Special Development Fund and Sri Dalada Maligawa Buddhist Welfare Fund was set up by him.[7] Meanwhile, the Pallekale Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (Thai Sri Lanka International Buddhist Institution) with a modern conference hall that can accommodate up to 1000 guests was established by Neranjan Wijeyeratne while he was Diyawadana Nilame.[8] During his tenure, he maintained close links with Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Myanmar religious dignitaries and played a major role in promoting Sri Lanka's Buddhist heritage.[9][10]

Residence of Neranjan Wijeyeratne
Meeduma Walauwa, Rambukkana

Politics

After stepping down as Diyawadana Nilame following his second term, he went into active politics.[11]

Family

He is married to Devika Mediwake Daughter of Dr Laxminath & Chintha Mediwake, and Grand Daughter of William Gopallawa (first President of Sri Lanka) and has two children Mokshana Wijeyeratne (Environmental Specialist, The World Bank (Colombo office).[12] & Navindra Wijeyeratne.

See also

References
  1. Dr.Nissanka Wijeyeratne by Professor.Carlo Fonseka. The Island, Retrieved on 3 January 2008.
  2. More Details About The Attack Emerge. Sinhaya.com
  3. Why, why, why ?.Sunday Times, Retrieved on 1 February 1998.
  4. Art Attack. Archaeology, Retrieved on May / June 2001.
  5. Pattirippuwa: The Gem of the Kandyan Kingdom. Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 26 March 2019.
  6. A sacred display.Sunday Times, Retrieved on 28 November 1999.
  7. Adharmista rulers, the cause of drought.The Island, Retrieved on 5 September 2001.
  8. Pallekele land vested in Sri Dalada Maligawa. Daily News, Retrieved on 3 August 2004.
  9. Thailand to donate golden casket. Buddhism Today, Retrieved on 9 September 2001.
  10. Buddhists leave for China. The Island, Retrieved on 18 May 2002.
  11. Many take to politics to benefit themselves – Mahanayake. The Island (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 2 June 2007.
  12. Mokshana Wijeyeratne,Environmental Specialist, The World Bank (Colombo office. World Bank Blogs.
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