1. Brahmachari Walisinghe Harischandra was a social reformer, historian, author and revivalist of Sri Lankan Buddhism.
21 Facts About Walisinghe Harischandra
1. 2.
Walisinghe Harischandra was a follower of Anagarika Dharmapala, who gave leadership to the Buddhist revivalist movement, after the lead given by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott.
3.
Walisinghe Harischandra is regarded as the saviour of the citadel of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura.
4.
Walisinghe Harischandra was born to the family of Walisinghe Hendrick de Silva and Pehandi Marthnanda de Silva Gunasekera in Negombo on 9 July 1876.
5.
Walisinghe Harischandra was a student of Wesley College, Colombo from 1889 to 1895.
6.
Walisinghe Harischandra decided to be a Brahmacharya, which meant he would remain a bachelor, devoting his time to religious and national work.
7.
Walisinghe Harischandra believed that he would be able to serve his motherland in a more meaningful manner by getting involved in nationalist and religious activities.
8.
Walisinghe Harischandra joined the Mahabodhi Society, which had been established by Anagarika Dharmapala, a prominent figure of Sri Lankan Buddhist nationalist movement.
9.
Walisinghe Harischandra worked first as the assistant secretary and later as the Secretary of Mahabodhi Society.
10.
Walisinghe Harischandra spent some time in India and participated in the campaign 'Save Buddhagaya'.
11.
Walisinghe Harischandra was interested in Temperance Work and addressed many meetings of the Sri Lankan temperance society.
12.
Walisinghe Harischandra wrote many books in the areas of Sri Lankan history and Buddhism and was the editor of the magazine 'Mahabodhi'.
13.
Walisinghe Harischandra was the prominent figure of making the ancient city of Anuradhapura, a sacred city and was the founder of the Ruvanveli Dagoba Improvement Society.
14.
Walisinghe Harischandra did a great service for the restoration of ancient Buddhist shrines in Anuradhapura and Mihintale.
15.
Walisinghe Harischandra was moved by the sordid condition of Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Lanka.
16.
Walisinghe Harischandra made up his mind to stop this desecration and published a booklet named, the Sacred City of Anuradhapura and sent a copy to King George V In this book he pointed out that the Crown representatives despoiled Buddhist Holy places and appealed to him to protect their sanctity.
17.
Walisinghe Harischandra kept a diary of daily activities making notes regularly.
18.
Walisinghe Harischandra died on 13 September 1913 after a short illness.
19.
Walisinghe Harischandra died at relatively young age of 37, with the satisfaction of being able to be a part of the revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
20.
Brahmachari Walisinghe Harischandra is regarded as a National Hero of Sri Lanka.
21.
Walisinghe Harischandra wrote and published a considerable number of books.