At the time the Gal Oya Project was inaugurated life was very difficult in the Dighamandulla District. It was a jungle area traversed by dangerous wild animals. A handful of innocent, extremely poor villagers who had never ever seen a city lived there undergoing much difficulty. The group of human beings who lived in that jungle had a simple culture; they knew not about the national pride they owned, and they had not yet received the true blessings of the Triple gem.

At that time two young Buddhist monks who were looking for a suitable abode to try and achieve their spiritual aspirations entered the forest at Dighamandulla. These two brave monks who did not get even a proper meal walked in the jungle looking for a site suitable for a forest hermitage. They were lucky when they came across a rocky platform which contained a few ancient caves. After worshipping at the ruins of a dagaba which was nearby, they sat cross-legged on the rock surface. With their eyes closed the two young monks chanted pirith, and then got engrossed in Samatha meditation. Later, after offering merit to the brahmas and the devathas they made a determination as follows:
" May this rocky platform become a suitable hermitage for activities supporting the welfare of the Buddha Sasana and our nation, and also for our own spiritual advancement."

These were the wishes at that time of Kalutara Dhammananda Thera and Batayaye Ariyawansa Thera. That hermitage was named Buddhangala. The villagers even today, lovingly and respectfully, address Dhammananda Thera as, " our Buddhangala Thera". This Thera is very soft-hearted, and is very strong and healthy. He is straightforward, utters the truth always and is firm in what he says. His advice though given in a high pitched voice, is always in accordance with the Dhamma. A discussion on any topic is finally ended by him with a reference to the three Buddhist characteristics of Existence, viz., anicca, dukkha, anatta.

Buddhangala Thera has the ability to select for himself what type of religious and social activities a Buddhist monk should perform. Accordingly, he started doing his duty to educate the villagers in his neighbourhood as to how they should live protecting the heritage of the Snhla Buddhists. With the support of the Government agent he obtained land for paddy cultivation for the Sinhala Buddhist people, so that there will be a Buddhist cultural environment around the Buddhangala Forest Hermitage. He found the necessary support from the Government as well as from private donors to provide the villagers with housing and other elementary necessities. He guided the movement to settle thousands of Sinhala people in the area.

Leaders of other communities and religions and their supporters tried to get the Thera involved in various dangerous activities. At every such instance Buddhangala Thera was courageous to face the situation bravely. He received death threats very often. The Tamil terrorists attempted to assassinate our monk several times. Our Thera who was not perturbed by those threats continued to comfort the Sinhala Buddhists. With the widespread terrorism of the Tamil Togers, the Sinhala villagers were getting beaten, chopped and burnt, and many Sinhala villagers started fleeing their homes to save their lives. It was Buddhangala Thera who advised the villagers and tried to keep them back.

The Thera walked to the Army camps and having met the military leaders, got the necessary security for the Sinhala villages. To find solace for the poor innocent Sinhala people, he frequently visited military camps, police stations, government offices and ministries. It was possible for him to get their support because our thera dhammananda has the necessary qualities which are essential for a real Bhikkhu.

The Buddha gave a title to monks who excelled in special qualities. It was the honorary name, " The Sangha Sobhana," the Glory of the Sangha. The Buddha has said, "any bhikkhu who is well-versed in the Dhamma, who is well-disciplined, very knowldgeable, and eloquent such a bhikkhu is a Sangha Sobhana."

The great Buddhangala thera listens to the Dhamma, and follows the Dhamma, therefore he is well-versed in the Dhamma. He leads a difficult life in a not so comfortable environment, still not forgetting the rules of the vinaya. Therefore he is well-disciplined. he takes interest in th society, sees to the management, and learns about the security situation, and teaches the Dhamma in a way the people understand. therefore he is knowledgeable. The well-read Buddhangala Thera adapts a simple language so that his listners can grasp well what he preaches. though he talks in a high tone his words are cultured and disciplined. Therefore he is eloquent. Buddhangala Thera who has all the above mentioned qualities is therefore fit to be called a Sangha Sobhana, according to the Buddha's description.

Many officials and others who have worked in the Dighamandulla District pay homage to this Thera and offer him merit whenever they can. the thera shows his gratitude to them all equally, irrespective of their status in society. He does not allow people to go from darkness to darkness, or from light to darkness. He works hard to bring them from darkness to light; and also those who are already in the light to further brightness.

I wish long life to the chief Incumbent of the sacred Buddhangala Forest Monastery, the most Venerable Kalutara Dhammananda Thera, who is pure in thought, word and deed.

- Ven Buddhangala Ananda Thero (Former Major Genarel Ananda Weerasekara)