Head Monk – Most Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Thero
Most Venerable Pidiwille Piyatissa Maha Thero is one of the highly respected senior monks living in the United Kingdom. He has been living in the UK for over 25 years and has a lot of experience in teaching Buddhism to children who are born in the United Kingdom. He is a well educated and a Theravada Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka. He has been awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Special) Degree in Buddhist Philosophy & Sanskrit from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka and also obtained Master of Arts Degree in Buddhist Studies at the same University.
Being the Head Monk of Leeds Buddhist Vihara and Chair of Leeds Buddhist Vihara Trust, he is rendering invaluable service for the people in various aspects. He is also Head Monk of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara in Manchester.
Deputy Head – Venerable Galpottayaye Pemananda Thero
Ven. Pemananda is the Deputy Head monk of Leeds Buddhist Vihara and he is the Chief Co-ordinator to plan the religious services of the temple under the guidance of Head Monk.
He is well educated, having been awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Special) Degree in Buddhist Philosophy & Pali from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, and also Master of Arts Degree in Buddhist Studies from the Postgraduate institute of Pali and Buddhist studies at the University of Kelaniya. He also has a Diploma in Psychology from the Institute of Psychological Research and studies in Sri Lanka.
Resident Monk – Ven. Dewalegama Somananda Thero
Ven. Dewalegama Somananda Thero has been a resident monk at the Leeds Buddhist Vihara since 3rd of February 2022. He undertakes a wide variety of religious activities based at the Vihara such as: organising religious ceremonies; chanting; undertaking various Buddhist rituals; providing support and comfort for families and individuals; and offering guidance in spiritual and moral matters to the Buddhist community under the guidance of the Head Monk and the Deputy Head monk.
He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Special) Degree in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Ruhuna Sri Lanka and also completed a Master of Arts Degree in Buddhist Studies from the Buddhist and Pali University, Sri Lanka. He also has a Diploma in education from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
He has worked as the Head Teacher (Parivenadhipati) at Sri Viddyaparadeepa Pirivena , Galle and was also the Head monk of Mangalagiri Viharaya, Waththehena, Thalgampola, Galle, Sri Lanka until he came to the UK.
Resident Monk – Venerable Kekundeniye Shantha Thero
Ven. Kekundeniye Shantha Thero has been a resident monk at Leeds Buddhist Vihara since 10th September 2020. He undertakes a wide variety of religious activities based at the Vihara such as: organising religious ceremonies; chanting; reading Buddhists texts; undertaking various Buddhist rituals; providing support and comfort for families and individuals and offering guidance in spiritual and moral matters to the Buddhist community under the guidance of the Head Monk and the Deputy Head monk.
He is well educated, having been awarded a Honorary Degree Rajakeya Panditha (Royal Pandith) in Pali, Sanskrit and Sinhala from Sri Lanka Pracheena Bhasopakara. He has received a Master of Arts degree (MA) in Buddhist Studies (English Medium) from the Buddhist & Pali University of Sri Lanka. He has worked as a Piriven teacher in Sri Lanka until he left to Malaysia for Dharma Duta Seva. Venerable Kekundeniye Shantha Thero has spent number of years in Malaysia, conducting religious programmes until he came to UK.