Veteran Buddhist monk, award-winning lyricist and author Ven. Rambukana Siddhartha Thero has died at the age of 76.

He passed away while receiving treatment in hospital, where he had been admitted following an illness. Hiru News reported that he died at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital.

A body of work across devotional and popular song

Siddhartha Thero made a substantial contribution to Sri Lankan music and song literature, writing lyrics for a large number of popular songs that drew wide appreciation among listeners.

His repertoire covered Buddhist devotional songs alongside work on social and emotional themes. Among his best-known lyrics are “La Dalu Bopath”, “Me Ira Handa Yata”, “Sanda Tharu Mal”, “Budu Hamuduruwo Apith Dekinnethi”, “Senehasa Puda”, “Budu Bana Esuwa”, “Me Prema Katha”, “Avvata Vessata Huru Minissunne”, “Veherak Wage”, “Pansale Palliye” and “Siyaka Ayu Laba”.

He received the Sarasaviya Award for “Pera Sansare”, written for the film Sandakada Pahana, and a Derana Film Award for “Sada Paharak Se Ekamuthu Wu Da”, written for Aloko Udapadi.

His recording career began in 1987 with the cassette Sansare Api. Later releases, issued as cassettes and compact discs, included Gammane Api, Samanala Kanda, Sansare Gee Yathika, Budu Ama Wessa and Sansara Charika. He also wrote the award-winning collection of lyrics Sasara Danawwa.

Early life

Ven. Rambukana Siddhartha Thero was born on May 22, 1950 in Rambukana, Deniyaya.

He received his primary education at Morawaka Weliwa Buddhist Mixed School, and went on to study at Galle Hettachala Pirivena and Pepiliyana Sunethradevi Pirivena.

His death removes a figure who worked across Buddhist literature and popular Sinhala song, a combination that placed his lyrics on devotional recordings and commercial film soundtracks alike.

It follows a period of change among the country’s senior songwriters, with fellow veteran lyricist Rathna Sri Wijesinghe stepping down as National Library Board chairman last month, citing his age.

Update — August 21: funeral rites

The final rites are to be held on Friday, August 21, at the Saranankara Grounds in Dehiwala, NewsFirst reported.

His remains were placed at the Sudharmaramaya Temple in Wellawatte for members of the public to pay their respects. NewsFirst confirmed he died on the evening of August 18 while receiving treatment at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital.

NewsFirst also reported that Ven. Rambukana Siddhartha Thero had served as Chairman of the Arts Council of Sri Lanka, alongside the Sarasaviya Award for Best Lyrics and the other honours he received during his career.

Sources