Ven Datuk K Sri Dhammaratana

Most Ven. Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera

Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia

Founder and Advisor of Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society

and Ti-Ratana Welfare Society

The Most Ven. Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera is known throughout Malaysia and internationally for his outstanding services to the Buddha Sasana. His efforts in the promotion of religious knowledge, a social interaction and cultural understanding amongst Malaysians are highly commendable. He has earned a great reputation as a successful missionary monk who was well trained under the guidance of the late Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Thera, the former Chief Incumbent Bhikku of the Buddhist Maha Vihara.

Background & Ordination

Born on 24th July 1948 in Kirinde, Sri Lanka to Mr. Basnayaka Mudiyanselage Siriwardena, an Ayurvedic Physician and Mrs. Withanaarachchilage Dayawathie, he had early education at the center of Collage of Deyiyandara, Sri Lanka. In 1965 at the young age of 17 he enterd the Sasana as a novice monk under the name of “K. Dhammaratana” as a pupil of Ven Kotawila Sri Deepananda Nayaka Thera, the abbot of the Vidyawardhana Pirivena, Dehiwala, and Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Thera, the Chief Sangha Nayaka of Malaysia and Singapore at that time.

Education & Higher Ordination

Upon the successful completion of his basic education at the Vidyawardhana Pirivena, Dehiwala, he joined the Sunethra Mahadevie University Pirivena in Pepiliyana for higher education and trained as a Dhammadutta monk at the Paramadhamma International Buddhist Institute, Ratmalana.

He had his higher ordination (Upasampada) in 1972 at Malwatte Maha Viharaya, Kandy. In 1989 at the invitation of Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananada Nayaka Thera and the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society in Kuala Lumpur together with the blessing of Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera and Ven. Galaboda Ganissara Nayaka Thera.

Excellency With Dammaduta (Propagation) & Mankind

Before he became the Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia, he served the Vihara for over 28 years as a resident monk. The Sasana Society in 1988 then appointed him as the principal of the Sunday school which has a student population of over 1500 because of his capabilities and enthusiasm. He played an active role in organizing the annual Year-end appreciation Dinner, Wesak celebrations, Caring and Sharing Project, the Wesak Candlelight and Float procession. Ven Dhammaratana has also been the driving force of the Buddhist Maha Vihara Tsunami Relief Fund where RM 3.2 million was raised from donations. The Tsunami Fund has since provided financial aid for the construction of a new orphanage in Aceh, Indonesia, the rebuilding of the Tagalle Hospital in Sri Lanka and restoring 2 Hindu temples in Kalmunai. Sri Lanka. It has also sent over 50 containers of clothing, food, medicines and medical and equipment to Aceh, Sri Lanka south Thailand and Burma.

Compassion in Great Service

He was instrumental in establishing in the “TI-RATANA” welfare center in Salak South Garden, with the assistance of his friends and lay supporters at the Buddhist Maha Vihara, and very soon developed it by adding various sections such as free Clinics, orphanages, elderly homes, and refugee centers for the neglected children and mothers. It is now one of the biggest welfare organizations in Malaysia as well as leading 8 community centers in Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

Leadership In Action

In October 2006, after the demise of the late Ven Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera, the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society appointed Ven Dhammaratana as the Chief Incumbent Bhikkhu of the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields, kuala Lumpur. Taking into consideration his commendable service to Malaysia, the government of Malaysia also granted him permanent resident status in Malaysia he has also since been appointed as:

Religious patron by young Buddhist Association of Malaysia
Chief Religious Advisor by Buddhist Dhamma Followership Association, Kuching
Board Member of Malaysia Association for the Blind

The Venerable has also traveled to several counties in the world and he has closely observed the Buddha’s world “Caratha Bhikkhave Carikan Bahujana Hitaya Bahujana Sukhaya”. He is thus able to face challengers with courage and determination.

In appreciation of his services to the Buddha Sasana, Ven. Dhammaratana was bestowed the title of “Chief Sangha Nayaka of Malaysia” on 12 March 2007 by the Malwatta Chapter of the Siam Maha Nikaya, at Malwatta Viharaya, Kandy. May the blessings of Noble Triple Gem bestow health, courage, and longevity unto Ven. K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera to carry forward his esteemed services to the Samma Sambuddha Sasana and the world.

Honorary Titles and Positions

Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia
The Principal of the Buddhist Institute Sunday Dhamma School (BISDS) in Buddhist Maha Vihara, Brickfields
Founder and Spiritual Advisor of the Ti-Ratana Welfare Society and all Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society branches
Spiritual Advisor of Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden Sunday Dhamma School
Spiritual Advisor of Ti-Ratana Sukha Dhamma School
Spiritual Advisor of Ti-Ratana Vihara Dhamma School
Advisor of Sri Subhodharama Kaluwachchimulla, Kuliyapitiya
Co-Chairman of the Inter-faith Group which comprises of Spiritual leaders from other faiths, including Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Taoism and Sikhism
Appointed as the Chief Sangha Nayaka of Malaysia (Chief high priest) and bestowed with the title of Dhammakeerthi Sri Dhammananda by Board of Malwatta Chapter of Siam Nikaya in Kandy, Sri Lanka
Chief Religious Advisor of Buddha Dhamma Followership Association Kuching
Religious Patron of Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia
Board Member of Malaysia Association for the blind
Religious Advisor of UM Buddhist Society and UPM Buddhist Society
The Yang Di Pertuan Agong of Malaysia distinguished his great service and offered the title of Datuk to respect His tremendous service in November 2010

Religious and Welfare Services (Malaysia)

Founded Ti-Ratana Welfare Society in 1994
Founded Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society in 2000
Blessing services to the community, the sick, deceased, and prison inmates
Initiated correspondence course named “Buddhism for you” and Chinese Dhamma classes at the Buddhist Institute Sunday Dhamma School
Annual Caring and sharing Programme which cater to about 1200 people comprising of senior citizens, orphans and physically handicapped
Founded Ti-Ratana Welfare Society – Homes for Children, elderly and infirm, abused women, and halfway house
Free mobile clinic and mobile dental clinic to reach out to the rural communities, free loan of health care equipment, Distribution of Emergency Food Aid
Provide community services – family counseling, language and Dhamma classes, and various relaxation and recreational activities, distribution of free publication/reading materials, 3-R campaign (reduce, Reuse, and Re-cycle)
Organizes sports, holiday camps and seminars for teenagers and youths

Welfare and Social Services (International)

Founded Ti-Ratana Community Centre Sri Lanka in 2015
Presenting wheelchairs to soldiers at Ranaviru Sevana and D.A. Rajapaksha Foundation, Sri Lanka
Presenting Cardiac and other equipment to Army Hospital, Sri Lanka
Renovating Hettiyawala Vidyalaya and paving the roads in Kirinde, Sri Lanka and re-naming the school “Kirinde Sri Dhammananda Vidyalaya” and “Kirinde Sri Dhammananda Mawatha” respectively
Sending essential food items, clothing and medicines in aid of Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia
Sending food, clothing and materials in aid of earthquake victims in Pakistan

If you want to get in touch with Ven Datuk K Sri Dhammaratana, you can contact us at info@ti-ratana.org. Please note that Chief Reverend does not personally maintain this mailbox. We will convey your message to him.