Ven. Dr Nandissara Maha Thera was appointed as the acting General Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society of India after the death of Ven’ble Dr Potuwila Gunaratana Maha Thera.
Born in Ellawala, Ratnapura, and educated at Kotte he passed the London Matriculation examination in 1942. He first served as a District Revenue Officer and in 1946 he was ordained as a Bhikkhu by the name Ellawala Nandissara Thera.
He had his religious education and training at Sudhammalankara Pirivena, Diyatalawa and later he was appointed as a teacher there. In 1952 he obtained the B.A. Degree from the London University in Oriental Languages. For further studies he left for London in 1956 and there he obtained Masters Degree in English Literature.
On an invitation he joined the Maha Bodhi Society and served at the Madras centre. After the death of Rev. Batuwangala Jinanananda Thera, he was appointed as the Bhikkhu-in-charge of the Madras centre.
It was during his time that the New Vihara Mandira was erected at Kennet Lane Egmore, Madras.
After his appointment as the acting General Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society of India he was attached to it’s Headquarters at Calcutta.
It was during his time that the Jinaratana Memorial Homeopathic clinic was opened at the Head Quarter premises which still serves the poor around the area.
