Ven. Punnaji presenting his talk at WACANA Buddhist Conference on 31 July 2011.

It is with deep respect and a heavy heart that we announce the passing away of Venerable Dr. Madewela Punnaji Māha Thero (born 26 November 1929) in Sri Lanka earlier today, 27 July 2018.  Ven. Punnaji was a resident monk for more than a decade at the Buddhist Māha Vihāra in Kuala Lumpur.  After the passing of the late abbot Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda, Ven. Punnaji assumed many of the teaching duties there, where he established a following of students keen to learn Pāli suttantā.

Ven. Punnaji was also a keynote speaker at WACANA 2011 Buddhist Conference organised by Nalanda Institute Malaysia, where he spoke on “The Relevance of Buddhism to an Evolving Society” 31 July 2011.

Nalanda Buddhist Society offers our deep condolence to the venerable monks, management and devotees of Buddhist Mahā Vihāra, as well as the relatives of the late Ven. Punnaji.  May he attain the highest bliss – Santī, Peace.