The Venerable Kamburawala Rewatha Thero is to be appointed as Chief Sangha Nayake for the U.K. by the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha with the title of "Vishwasamaya Sabhagacari," The High Ambassador for World Interfaith Dialogue, Peace and Harmony".

The inauguration ceremony will be held at the Kotte Raja Maha Viharaya on 3 August at 3.00. p.m.

The appointment, which is considered as a great honour, is being given to Venerable Kamburawala Rewatha Thero for his 28 years of unwavering service as a Buddhist Monk, Teacher, Charity Organiser and Buddhist Counsellor during which he has helped people, regardless of creed, colour and religious belief, to obtain a better life and spiritual well being through the teachings of Buddha.. The appointment is also being given in acknowledgement of his on-going overseas work, including the setting up of Scotland's Buddhist Vihara and his involvement as a member of several groups, including The Scottish Interfaith Council, and his dedication and service in the spreading of interfaith dialogue in a peaceful and harmonious way.

Born in Kamburawala, a beautiful countryside village in the western part of Sri Lanka, the Venerable Rewatha became a monk at the age of 10 at Sri Dharmapala Pirivena. On completion of his monastic education, he achieved Royal Pandit degree as a very young novice monk.

In 1992 he passed his Advanced level exam and obtained the highest marks in the island. Highly educated, he holds a B.A. degree in Sanskrit language and Indian Philosophy from the University of Peradeniya,' Kandy. It was at that time that he began his charity work as an undergraduate student which he continues todate with great gusto. In 1999, he obtained his M.A. in Pali language and Buddhist philosophy from the University of Kelaniya, Colombo, after which he returned to Sri Dharmapala Pirivena as a teacher.

In 2001, Venerable Rewatha was invited to visit Thames Buddhist Vihara in London by the most Venerable Pahalagama Somarathana Thero, after which in 2002 he set up the first ever Theravada Buddhist Vihara in Scotland.

Between 2002 todate he has been involved in Dharma work, based at the Vihara, teaching Buddhism, meditation and mindfulness. Under his guidance and supervision, the Vihara has organised, set up and put into place five projects, including an Orphanage and a Psycho-Social support centre to help and support the Tsunami survivors. This work and these projects are still on-going.

Holding the appointment as the Buddhist advisor and lecturer at the University of Glasgow, as well as their Chaplain/Advisor, he works with students of all faiths. He was recently invited to lead the 'Time for Reflection ' at The Scottish Parliament. This was a very special occasion as it was the first time a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk had been invited to address a European Parliament. He is currently doing a research degree at the University of Bangor on the subject of Mindfulness approaches in Healthcare and Education.

"The Maryhill Monk" or 'Bhante', as he is lovingly known in Glasgow, has had much media interest including many newspaper articles written on his charity work. He has even been named 'The Millenium Monk' by the Scottish press!

As a member of the Faith Liaison Advisory Group to the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Religious Leaders Group of Scottish Interfaith Council he was the only Buddhist representative of the Scottish Interfaith Pilgrimage Group to Israel and Palestine in July 2008. He has also been to Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and America where he carried out "Mindfullness" training.

During 2008, the Venerable Rewatha was invited by Hollywood actor Brian Cox to the U.S.A. to deliver The Dharmapada on stage as a part of a stage production directed by Nicole Cox. It was held at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York. Earlier this year he went as a member of the Scottish Interfaith Council representing Buddhism as a part of an American, Spanish Interfaith exchange programme hosted by The New York Interfaith Centre.

Regularly visiting schools and prisons, the Venerable Rewatha promotes interfaith dialogue. He conducts the Buddhist Service at the United Nations Day Interfaith service in Glasgow each year as the Buddhist representative and has been able to arrange different fund-raising events with inter-faith groups to help the people of Sri Lanka.

As a well-versed teacher, he uses his unique teaching skills to teach traditional Buddhist meditation in a secular way for different faith groups to develop their mental well being. Annually in April, since 2005, he organises a Sri Lankan cultural event which brings together different Buddhist groups and their Traditions and Cultures'. It promotes peace and happiness and is always well attended by the community he serves.

A monk of many talents, the Venerable Rewatha has started a pilot project to research how to promote inter-faith dialogue in Secondary Schools in his role as a Religious and Moral Education Teacher. He is also teaching Buddhism at Glasgow University and has also achieved a U.K. Teachers' qualification.