K. Sri Dhammananda (born Martin Gamage, 18 March 1919 – 31 August 2006) was a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, scholar, and was an especially prominent figure for Buddhism in Malaysia.
Early life
Born in the village of Kirinde in Matara, Sri Lanka, Dhammananda spent most of his life and career in Malaysia. He was ordained as a novice monk (samanera) at the age of 12 and was fully ordained in 1940. After arriving in Malaya in 1952, now part of Malaysia, Dhammananda established himself as a leading Theravada Buddhist monk in the region and was appointed as the Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia. He was also was influential to the nearby Singaporean Buddhist community. In 2000, Dhammanada was honored with Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja award by the Myanmar government.
Death
Dr. Dhammananda died on 31 August, 2006 at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre in Selangor, Malaysia. It was claimed that there were auspicious signs including lights and auras around the funeral site.