WESAK BAKTHI GEETHA PROGRAMME IN MELBOURNE HELD BY THE SCATS SENIORS GROUP AT PARAMITHA BUDDHIST VIHARA IN DEANSIDE VICTORIA – By Leelananda Ihalagamage
A Wesak Bakthi Geetha programme was held by SCATS Australia Seniors at the Paramitha Buddhist Vihara in Deanside, Victoria, on 11th May 2025 with the guidance of Ven. Kiramba Sumangala Thero (M.Phil), current Chief Incumbent of the Vihara.
Bakthi Geetha programme was performed with the guidance and leadership of Mr. Mahinda Dissanayake and Mr. Gamini Perera, Founder President of SCATS. The programme was organized and co-ordinated by Mrs. Hemamali Perera, Mrs. Pramila Nakandala and assisted by Mr. Rohana Pieris, Dr. Hemantha Rohitha, Mr. Noel Perera and Mr. Viduranga Liyanage.
The chorus consisted of (Males) Mahinda Dissanayake, Rohana Pieris, Hemantha Rohitha, Noel Perera, Viduranga Liyanage, Lesley Ranatunga, Leelananda and (Females) Kusuma Gunaratne (President of Seniors-SCATS), Hemamali Perera, Mrs. Pramila NakandalaSrimathie Attanayaka, Subadra Rohitha, Sandya Dissanayake, Thalatha Perera, Rekha Kariyawasam, Mirani Fernando, Priyani Perera, Chandra Jayalath, Latha Ihalagamage, Mani Wickramasinghe, Silvana Colombage, Malkanthi Rathnasekara, Tamara Rathnayaka.
In addition to the Bakthi Geetha programme, an observance of sil programme, an elegant pandal, and dansel were held. Other different multicultural devotees were also participated.
Paramitha Buddhist Vihara
The Paramitha Buddhist Vihara was established in 1997 by the Western Victoria Sri Lankan Buddhist Association located in Rockbank, Melbourne which offers a wide range of services to the Buddhist community. Most Ven. Okkampitiya Punyaratana Thero (B.A.) is the Chief Incumbent of the temple and at present living in Sri Lanka. Ven. Kiramba Sumangala Thero is the current Chief Incumbent who is devotedly engaged in the buddhist activities of all the Sri Lankan Buddhists and also conducting the Sinhala Language School for the benefit of the Sri Lankan children in order to teach Sri Lankan culture, tradition and buddhist disciples.
Photographs by : Dr. Udara Liyanage
