Ven. Rambukana Siddhartha Thero, the Buddhist monk and award-winning lyricist, was laid to rest at the Dehiwala Sri Saranankara Grounds on Friday evening.
The cremation ceremony began at 3.00 p.m. His remains had been placed at the Wellawatte Sri Sudharmarama Temple on August 19 to allow the public to pay their last respects, and were taken in procession to the Dehiwala grounds on Friday afternoon.
Religious rites at the venue were conducted by Dr. Dimbulkumbure Sri Saranankara Wimaladhamma Thero of the Malwatte Chapter.
The Thero died in hospital while receiving treatment for an illness.
A body of work spanning four decades
Ven. Rambukana Siddhartha Thero wrote extensively for Sri Lankan popular and devotional music, and his lyrics reached a wide audience well beyond Buddhist devotional circles.
Among his best known works 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 PalliyΔ 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 included Gammane Api, Samanala Kanda, Sansare Gee Yathika, Budu Ama Wessa and Sansara Charika, issued on cassette and compact disc.
Early life
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.
