Alvin M. Keeling 
From November 23 to 26, the family and friends of the late Mangala Samaraweera will come together to mark the passage of three months since his untimely death, in a series of private and public reflective occasions.
Given that Mangala tragically passed away on August 24, at a time when the country was in lockdown and observed strict restrictions in the event of a pandemic, it was not possible for all who had accompanied him at different times of his course to pay him a last tribute. . There are many who still bear the scars of mourning his untimely death. This was reflected in the influx of posts, articles, social media posts, sketches, drawings and even music and poetry not only from all parts of Sri Lanka but from around the world.
‘Mathaka Mangala’ will try to provide all those who knew him in different capacities, an opportunity to come together to remember him and pay him homage. ‘Mathaka Mangala’ began with the traditional Buddhist custom of a sermon (bana) on Saturday November 20 at Matara Bodhiya from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Today, November 23, there will be a sermon (bana) in Colombo by Venerable Galkande Dhammananda Thero, Director of the Walpola Rahula Institute. The sermon, which will begin at 7:00 p.m. PT, will be broadcast live on Facebook and Youtube. On Wednesday November 24, Mangala’s family will offer alms (dhana) to Buddhist monks in his memory. It will be a private occasion for reflection. On Thursday, November 25, Mangala’s ashes will be laid at ‘The Restpect’ Jayaratne Funeral Home, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for all those who wish to pay tribute to him.
On the morning of Friday, November 26, Mangala’s ashes will be taken to Matara in a procession of vehicles limited by his family and friends. In Matara, the ashes will be placed in the Olanda Dutch Market Hall (Nupe), a community center that has been restored under the aegis of Mangala, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for all those who wish to pay him a last tribute.
At 4 p.m., religious rites will be performed by members of the clergy representing Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Christian traditions before the ashes are taken in procession to the final resting place of Khema’s boy and beloved son of Matara. and Sri Lanka for the Matara cemetery for interment in the tomb of the Samaraweera family.
“In the coming weeks and months, we intend to launch a website commemorating Mangala, which will contain details of her work and dreams for Sri Lanka as a reconciled, peaceful and prosperous nation where every individual is. treated with dignity, and we look forward to sharing information on future events and opportunities for like-minded people of all age groups to work together to achieve Mangala’s progressive vision for Sri Lanka, ”said said the organizers.
