About Brahmachari Walisingha Harischandra

Walisinghe Harischandra was born to Walisinghe Hendrick de Silva and Pehandi Marthnanda de Silva Gunasekera in Negombo, Mahahunupitiya on 9th July 1876. His birth name was Edward de Silva. Young Edward read his first letters from late Ven. Dharmaratnetissa Nayake Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the MahaHunupitiya Sugatharama Temple and had his elementary education at his native village and then went St. Mary’s College, Negombo to study English. His parents wanted to make him a lawyer, and so he was admitted to Wesley College, Colombo. Later he was admitted to the Law College. He was an excellent orator both in Sinhala and English. He showed his oratory talents at the age of 20 that he would become a lawyer of excellent abilities in future.

He was a follower of Anagarika Dharmapala, who gave leadership to the Buddhist revivalist movement, after the lead given by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott. Edward developed a keen interest in Buddhism and gradually began working as a true nationalist. He gave up his legal career and adopted the name Walisinghe Harischandra. He decided to be a Brahmacharya, which meant he would remain a bachelor, devoting his time to religious activities. Walisinghe Harischandra joined the Mahabodhi Society activities. He worked first as the assistant secretary and later as the Secretary of Mahabodhi Society national work. He believed that he would be able to serve his motherland in a more meaningful manner by getting involved in nationalist and religious activities.

He was active in educating the Sri Lankan of the value of their cultural heritage at a time when most of the people blindly imitating the western way of life. Walisinghe Harischandra was also interested in Temperance Work and addressed many meetings of the Sri Lankan temperance society. By constantly addressing various meetings, he soon became a powerful orator. He wrote many books in the areas of Sri Lankan history and Buddhism and was also the editor of the magazine ‘Mahabodhi’. He was the prominent figure of making the ancient city of Anuradhapura, a sacred city and was the founder of the Ruvanveli Dagoba Improvement Society. He did a great service for the restoration of ancient Buddhist shrines in Anuradhapura and Mihintale. He was moved by the sordid condition of Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Lanka. He made up his mind to stop this desecration and published a booklet named, the Sacred City of Anuradhapura and sent a copy to the King. In this book he pointed out that the Crown representatives despoiled Buddhist Holy places and appealed to him to protect their sanctity. His effort was not in vain.

Walisinghe Harischandra wrote and published 13 books. Description of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, Great Story of King Dutugemunu, Lumbini, Mahabodhi, The Significance of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Life of King Devanampiyatissa are some examples for his written work. He was also the editor of the magazine ‘Mahabodhi’. He breathed his last on September 13, 1913, at the age of 36 due to a cancer.