PRESS STATEMENT
24 January 2025, London
The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) is deeply saddened by the passing of Ven. Siyambalagaswewa Wimalasara Thero,
the Chief Sanganayake of Malwatte Chapter for the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Ven. Thero’s passing was
sudden and unexpected, and we express our heartfelt condolences to all those who were fortunate to have
associated with the Thero in many different capacities.
Ven. Siyambalagaswewa Wimalasara Thero was a key proponent and a signatory to the Himalaya Declaration
(April 2023), which aimed at promoting peace, reconciliation, religious harmony and equality among all the
peoples of Sri Lanka. Ven. Thero’s role in this initiative was crucial due to his long association with the Northern
and Eastern Provinces and his deep understanding of the fears and aspirations of the Tamil people. Ven. Thero
has built a solid inter-religious network in Vavuniya where he lived and played a pivotal role in preventing
violence in the local area even when the country was engulfed in a vicious civil war. When GTF representatives
visited Vavuniya in December 2023, we witnessed first-hand the respect with which the Thero was held by the
local religious and community leaders. When the Thero was admitted to the hospital recently leaders from all
religions visited him and paid their respects.
Ven. Thero was also instrumental in organising Mullivaikaal Remembrance events in 2023 and jointly organising in
2024, with the GTF in Vavuniya, well attended by all communities. Clearly, Ven. Siyambalagaswewa Wimalasara
Thero was a living embodiment of the mutual understanding and respect idealized among the adherents of all
religions and communities. For those of us who directly engaged with the Ven. Thero due to our joint efforts on
Himalaya Declaration, we feel the loss as that of a friend, colleague and a guide. The Thero was fluent in Tamil
and had a humorous side to him, and we cherish many memories of our many conversations with him.
We are confident that the Ven. Thero’s legacy and the impact he has had in promoting inter-religious and national
harmony, including the implementation of the Himalaya Declaration will endure. It is important that all of us
redouble our efforts to follow on the footsteps of Ven. Thero in promoting peace ethnic and religious harmony.
That will be our lasting tribute to Ven. Siyambalagaswewa Wimalasara Thero.
“May his soul attain supreme bliss of Nibbana”
-ENDS-
Media Contact: Suren Surendiran
Tel: +44 (0) 7958 590196
Skype: surendirans
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @GTFonline & @surendirans
Notes: Global Tamil Forum (GTF) is an influential Tamil diaspora organisation – established in 2009 following the end of the armed conflict
in Sri Lanka. GTF is absolutely committed to a non-violent agenda and it seeks lasting peace in Sri Lanka, based on justice, reconciliation and
a negotiated political settlement.
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