The President's Media Division stated that the final rites of Most Ven. Dr. Walamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera will be held under State patronage.

Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Most Ven. Welamitiyawe Dharmakirthi Sri Kusala Dhamma Thera has passed away yesterday night (27) at the age of 84.

Most Venerable Kusala Dhamma Thera who was also the Chief Prelate of the Colombo and Chilaw Division of the Malwathu Maha Vihara Chapter

He was born on February 20, 1937 in the village of Welamitiyawa in Dambadeniya Udukaha North Korale in Devamedi Hathpattu in the Kurunegala District of the North Western Province as Palihawadana Arachchilage Tikiri Bandara.

On January 7, 1954, the young Tikiri Bandara was ordained as Ven. Welamitiyawa Kusala Dhamma Thera.

Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera who served as the Head of the Vidyalankara Pirivena in Peliyagoda was considered to be a monk who made a great contribution for the betterment of the Sasana in Sri Lanka.