Mr. Shamal Sachithra Wijetunga, Chief Custodian, representing the sixth generation of the Wijetunga lineage.
The historic Kadudevola Temple can be described as an ancient and magnificent sacred site, full of great miracles, and the current custodian of that sacred site is Mr. Shamal Sachithra Wijetunga.
Mr. Shamal Wijetunga, the eldest son of the current Chief Basnayake Nilame Dhankaratne Wijetunga and Mrs. Vijitha Pushpakanthi Mayadunnana, was born on April 5, 1993 in Kotte, Sri Jayewardenepura.
Having received his basic education from the NCE Buddhist College, he began studying Advanced Level subjects at the Isipathana College, Colombo. Laying the foundation for this noble responsibility inherited from his father, he began working as the Executive Director of the historic Kadudevola Siddha Rankadu Patthini Devalaya in 2018 under his father, the then Chief Trustee Kapudhurandara Kularatne Wijetunga.
Mr. Shamal Wijetunga, who had served as the temple’s executive director for many years under the guidance and advice of his father, was entrusted with all the responsibilities of the temple’s stewardship by Mr. Kularatne Wijetunga at the temple’s general assembly held on August 31, 2025.
From then on, Wijethunga assumed all responsibilities as the leader of this noble sacred place, carrying forward the pride of his generation as the 6th representative of the Kapu lineage.
As a very amiable and pious leader, taking into consideration the leadership qualities within him and the dignity inherited from his generation, with the support and blessings of his father, Mr. Kularatna Wijetunga, his mother, Mrs. Vijitha Pushpakanthi Mayadunnana, and his sister, Mrs. Ishani Umayangana Wijetunga, we hope that he will work for the future prosperity and progress of the temple, working in harmony with other shrines in the area, the residents of the area, and all devotees, and that he will dedicate himself to the advancement of this sacred place for a long time to come. May he receive the blessings of all the gods and goddesses.
Umesh
Content Writer
Honouring 43 Years of Dedicated Service of Former Chief Basnayake Nilame, Mr. Kularathne Wijethunga
On the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of the devoted service of former Chief Basnayake Nilame, Mr. Kularathne Wijethunga, to the revered Kadudevola Siddha Rankadu Paththini Devalaya, we present an account of his remarkable journey and invaluable contributions to this historic place of worship in the Kelani River Valley, enriched with a proud heritage spanning over 500 years and dedicated to the worship of Goddess Paththini.
Born on 8th February 1960 as the sixth child in a family of eight, to Mrs. Evseni Bulathsinghala and Mr. Davith Appuhamy Wijethunga, Mr. Wijethunga received his early education at Korathota Sri Somananda Maha Vidyalaya. He began his professional career as a cooperative manager.
Following the passing of his father, Mr. Davith Appuhamy Wijethunga, who served as the Chief Kapurala (ritual custodian of the Devalaya), on 28th August 1983, Mr. Kularathne Wijethunga assumed full responsibility for the Devalaya just 21 days later, on 18th September 1983. Since then, for over 43 years, he has rendered invaluable service towards the development and progress of the Devalaya.
On 11 May 1992, he married Ms. Wijitha Mayadunne. With her unwavering support, dedication, and commitment, he worked tirelessly to transform the Devalaya into a fully developed and well-established sacred complex.
They are blessed with two children, Mr. Shamal Sachithra Wijethunga and Ms. Ishani Umayangana Wijethunga, both of whom continue to contribute actively to the development and advancement of the Devalaya. At present, their son, Mr. Shamal Wijethunga, serves as the Chief Basnayake Nilame, carrying forward his father’s legacy with dedication and strength.
Mr. Kularathne Wijethunga is recognised as a strong and determined leader, endowed with exceptional resilience and leadership qualities. Following his father’s passing, he embraced this hereditary responsibility with great commitment and gradually developed the Devalaya premises through tireless effort.
Under his leadership, the sacred grounds of Kadudevola have flourished, reflecting his remarkable vision and organisational strength. The present state of the Devalaya stands as a testament to his enduring dedication and capability.
One of the first major ceremonies conducted under his leadership, after assuming responsibility, was the Fire-Walking Ceremony (Gini Paageema), held with great grandeur on 28 December 1983. Since then, for over 43 years, all traditional rituals have been performed annually in accordance with custom, including the Esala Perahera Festival, which continues to be conducted with dignity and splendour.
In early 1982, he took the initiative to establish the Devalaya Pooja Committee, which initially consisted of around 20 members and has since grown to nearly 100 dedicated members working collectively, alongside the Chief Kapurala, for the development and advancement of the Devalaya.
Throughout his 43-year tenure, he proposed and successfully implemented numerous development initiatives, bringing them to fruition step by step. These include the establishment of 18 fully developed Devalayas, the installation of a golden railing around the Bodhi precinct, and the construction of a Chaitya, a Bodhi enclosure, a Buddha shrine, a relic chamber with a museum, a two-storey alms hall, a dance pavilion, rest halls, facilities for dance groups, a new Devalaya complex, the Pattiruppuwa, a Navagraha shrine, an auditorium, and many more.
One of his most significant contributions was facilitating the acquisition of a ceremonial tusker for the Devalaya. Accordingly, upon the request of Mr. Kularathne Wijethunga, and with the intervention of the then Minister of Education, Human Resources Development and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Karunasena Kodituwakku, and with the approval of the then Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the ceremonial tusker Tharaka Randuka was presented to the Devalaya on 5 March 2003.
In 2020, under his leadership, the book titled “Kadudevola Siddha Paththini Rankadu Devalaya saha Aithihasika Pasubima” (The Kadudevola Siddha Paththini Rankadu Devalaya and its Historical Background) was published and ceremonially launched, highlighting the rich history and heritage of the Devalaya.
Maintaining warm and respectful relationships with all, Mr. Wijethunga works closely with the clergy of nearby temples and actively engages in religious and community service. He remains deeply committed to the well-being of devotees and the community, as well as to the progress and prosperity of the Devalaya, for which he continues to offer his prayers and dedicated service.
With sincere gratitude and respect, we acknowledge the 43 years of devoted and tireless service of Mr. Kularathne Wijethunga, a distinguished member of the fifth generation of the Wijethunga Kapu lineage, who transformed the historic Kadudevola sacred grounds into a place of profound spiritual significance and divine grace, bringing blessings and protection to the surrounding communities.
