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Nestled amidst the serene Udugaha Pattuwe vilawala village officer’s division, in the heart of Salpiti Korala, lies the illustrious Pamankada Sri Maha Vihara. Under the jurisdiction of Kotte Sri Kalyani Samasridharma Maha Sanghasabha, this sacred sanctuary, steeped in antiquity, bears testament to a rich heritage tracing back to the golden era of the Kingdom of Kotte. The details pertaining to the lives lead by the early monastic inhabitants of Pamankada Sri Maha Vihara lies shrouded in mystery. However, the turbulent times of Sri Lanka under the British rule saw a renaissance which unfurled with the arrival of the venerable Baddegama Saranankara Maha Thero, the fifth disciple of the illustrious Maligaspe Mangala Mahanayake Thero, which endured the tests of time and persisted as an unbroken thread connecting the past to the boundless horizons of tomorrow.

As one of the most influential Dharma Vinayadhara figures, he was even well recognized and highly respected by the Most Venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thero; Principal of the Vidyodhaya Buddhist monastic College at the time. It is especially noteworthy that all the affiliated temples of Pamankada Sri Maha Vihara, have dedicated the first portion of each of their lands to him. Venerable Madawala Sunanda Maha Thero who held the position of Karmavagacharya in the Kotte Sanghasabha, was the one who succeeded venerable Baddegama Saranankara Maha Thero. He pioneered the construction of the Kalubowila Sunandaramaya. Following him, Venerable Kodagoda Pangnananda Thero, who was the Chief abbot of both these temples, held the titles of Upadhyaya as well as Anunayaka of Kotte Sanghasabha. With the benevolent support of the Saddharmadana Society, he adorned the temple grounds with the resplendent relic temple, a masterpiece that speaks volumes of the grandeur of Pamankada Vihara.

After his passing, Venerable Kombala Medhananda Maha Thero, who held sway over the twin temples, orchestrated the annual sacred Sathipirith sermons which spanned over an astounding four decades bearing witness to his unwavering devotion to the path of Dharma. Venerable Prof. Kotagama Vachissara Maha Thero was ordained as a student of Venerable Pangnananda Anunahimi, who later attained higher ordination under the tutelage of venerable Kombala Medhananda Thero. He was a great religious scholar who was an invaluable addition to the long line of prestigious generations of Sangha at Pamankada Sri Maha Vihara. A distinguished alumnus, he earned his PhD from the University of London, England and continued onto grace the halls of Ananda Vidyalaya, Colombo, leaving an indelible mark as a senior educator. His intellectual prowess also led him to assume the esteemed role of Dean of the Faculty of Buddha Dharma at the Vidyodaya (present day Sri Jayawardenepura) University until his passing. He also held the position of Karmavagacharya of the Kotte Sanghasabha up until his sudden demise (1969) which caused quite a stir in the society at the time. During this period, Venerable Pamankada Buddhaseeha Chief Thero, together with Mrs. Jayasekhara, a cherished benefactor who donated land, built a new temple named Jayasekhararamaya in the picturesque village of Batuvita, Horana. He also held the esteemed position of Vice-Sanghanayake in the Western Province of Kotte Sanghasabha.

After the passing away of Venerable Kombala Medhananda Thero (1974), Venerable Hawpe Sri Somananda Thero took over the responsibilities of both the temples. While fulfilling the roles of chief Sanghanayaka of the Hevagam Korala and a committee member of the Kotte Sanghasabha, He also found time to work at a government appointed teaching position. Furthermore, he was the president of Shasanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya of Dehiwala Region up until his demise. In the wake of his passing in 2019, the mantle of leadership at Pamankada Sri Maha Vihara found a worthy successor in the esteemed Chief Sanghanayake of America and the visionary founder of the Dharmavijaya Buddhist Vihara in Los Angeles, the venerable Aggamahapandita, Dr. Valpola Piyananda Nayaka Thero. While his noble endeavors often lead him beyond Sri Lanka's shores, the venerable Rajakiyapandita, Shastrapati Valpola Siri Piyarathana Thero, makes sure to stand in his stead, looking after the temple's as well as its cherished contributors’ best interests with unwavering dedication, as he oversees all affairs on behalf of the revered Nayaka Thero, ensuring the continued flourishing of this sacred temple.