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Eminent Buddhist scholar, diplomat Guruge passes away
View(s):Eminent Buddhist Scholar, UNESCO ambassador, diplomat, civil service officer and author, Dr Ananda Guruge passed away in the United States on Wednesday (6).
Dr Guruge, 85, passed away while on a flight home to Los Angeles, after delivering a lecture in Australia.
A past student of Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Dr Guruge obtained his Bachelors 1st Class Honours in Sanskrit Special from the University of Ceylon in 1947, and proceeded to the University of London for doctoral studies.
After joining the Ceylon Civil Service, Dr Guruge was appointed assistant secretary to the Prime Minister. He served under Prime Ministers Dudley Senanayake and Sir John Kotelawela. Later he served as ambassador to many countries including the U.S.
Dr Guruge pioneered the translation of the Mahawamsa into English in 1989, and has written over 50 books. He was also the Dean of Academic Affairs and Director of the International Academy of Buddhism at University of the West in California, and an adjunct Professor of Buddhism, Hinduism and Peace Studies at California State University, Fullerton.
Dr Guruge was the President of the World Buddhist University Council (Bangkok) and a member of the UNESCO Inter-religious Advisory Committee.
He leaves behind loving wife Darshanika and son Anura. The funeral is to take place in Los Angeles.