Udugama Sri Rathanapala Mahanayake thero (1966-1970)
Born on June 2, 1893 AD in Potuhera Udugama village in Kurunegala district, his father was Udugama Jayasundara Mudiansela's village head Nilametuma. Dingirimanike Jayasundara Kumarihami was his mother. Educated from Udugama Bulupitiya Government College and Kandy Trinity College. In 1909 He Received Pravrajya from Lord Gunaratanabhidhana Nayaka.
After that, he gained knowledge in theology and linguistics from Venerable Valane Pannatissa, Lenadora Dhammarkakhita, etc., who worked at the Tat Parivenasthanam at Paramadhamma Nivesa Pirivena in Boralasgamuwa.
In 1915 AD, Venerable Ambagaswe Sri Dhammapala Ratanajotyabhidhana Thirteenth Mahanayake Thero, who came to Asgiri Maha Vihara, received instruction from Galagedara Sri Gunarathana, Wellawa Sri Atthadassi Nayaka Thero.
Potuhera Sri Ratanapalabhidhana Mahanayake, who represents the sangapata of the Mahanayaka Theradhara, received the noble Daladathevamur in the year 1921. Furthermore, His Eminence Mullegama Dharmakirthi Sri Chandrajothi Gunaratanabhidhana, the fifteenth Mahanayake Theradhara, received the Karaka Sanghasabha from the Fifteenth Mahanayake Theradhara, and in 1941, Rangiri Dambulu received the title of Rangiri Rajamaha viharadhika.
After the death of his Gurudevottama Udugama Sri Gunaratanabhidhana Maha Therodrayan, he became the head of the temples of Katugastota Gohagoda Liangasthanna Purana Vihara, Malsiripura Talangamuwa Rajamaha Viharaya and Paranagama Anuragala Rajamaha Viharaya. The offering of the Sannaspat is also a special event.
And on the 18th of August 1966, His Holiness succeeded to the post of Mahanayake, which was vacated by the Venerable Yatawatte Dharmakirti Sri Sumangala Dhammarathanabhidhana Mahanayake.
His Holiness was among the Sangha who once traveled to India to meet the Dalai Lama. His beloved and generous disciples included Udugama_Sri_Buddharakkitha_Thero and Karaka Sangha member Vanduragala Ratanajoti.He passed away on February 9, 1970 at 6.45 am.