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Inquiries continue into Dutch monk’s Dodanduwa death
The southern village of Ratgama went into mourning this week after the recovery of the body of the monk popularly known as Netherlanthaye Jinawansa from the Ratgama lagoon on Tuesday.
The late monk had been ordained in Sri Lanka as Ajahn Jinavamso.
S.H. Somapala
He had arrived in Sri Lanka some 12 years back from the Netherlands and spent the past eight years at the Polgasduwa Island Hermitage two kilometres from Ratgama town.
Last Tuesday, the OIC Ratgama, Chief Inspector Prabath Vithanage, had been alertered by the chief monk Ratgama Wiweka Vihari Thera of the Polgasduwa monastery that a monk was missing. The chief monk had found the small fibreglass boat which Ven Jinawansa Thera used, stuck in the mangroves of the nearby island known as “Parappuduwa’’ where another forest monastery is located.
Three police officers and the chief monk visited the location and 75 metres away from the boat they saw the body of the Dutch monk partly under water.
Coroner Sagarika Nilmini observed a concrete block (10 inches in length and 6 inches wide) strapped to the right leg by a wire.
Galle Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela visited the scene where the body was recovered.
The body was sent to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
An open verdict was recorded, while Judicial Medical Officer of the Karapitiya Hospital Dr Janaki Varushahendi, did the post-mortem and sent specimens from the body for further examination.
Netherlanthaye Jinawansa Thero
Statements of other monks of the monastery, helpers, and other villagers have been recorded.
However, Rathgama Wiweka Vihari thera, the chief monk of the Polgasduwa monastery does not believe that this is a murder.
“These villagers who fish for a living are very innocent,’’ he said. “I can’t even imagine what could have happened. I don’t want to talk much because of the inquiry.’’
According to the police, the Ven Jinawansa Thera was last seen in Kumarakanda area on Monday morning captured on CCTV.
For the past few years the 59-year-old monk had often been seen rowing his canoe type boat to different locations and then walking into the village to collect alms (pindapatha).
S.H. Somapala, 75, of Devinigoda, Ratgama, told the Sunday Times that the monk visited the village several times a week and walked about two kilometres within the village.
The faithful pay their respects
“The monk usually visits our house and we offer a glass of milk or kenda,’’ he said.
“We cannot believe what has happened. The monk lived a very peaceful and simple life,” Mr Somapala said. “This is really suspicious. We are expecting the truth to come out.’’
Another retired government worker also said the monk led a very simple life.
“He only comes out in the morning to receive alms [pindusinga wadinawa] around 6.30 to 7 am. He goes alone in a small boat. Everyone in the village liked him. Everyone offered alms to him,’’ he said.
“It’s huge loss. The thera only goes out to get an extension of his visa once a year. We have never seen him even going to a doctor’s clinic.
“The porcupines, giant squirrels, mongoose and other animals are his friends at noon time. He shares food with them.
Final journey across the river Pix by Amila Gamage
“Recently, I gave a yellow robe to the Thera. He asked me to take his picture with it. I have made another one. I also made a new oar for him, but to whom do I offer that now?’’
The Ven Jinawansa Thera, known before ordination as Antonius Girabus Johannes had travelled to Thailand where he was ordained in 1987 under the Ajhan Chah tradition.
The chamber of the Jinawansa Thera is in one corner of the 7.5-acre land. The island has lush tree cover, providing a tranquil place for meditation.
The Polgasduwa monastery was begun in 1911 by a German monk ordained as Gnanathiloka (or Nyanathiloka) Thera.
The Ratgama lagoon has four islands known as Polgasduwa, Matiduwa, Mahaduwa and Parappuduwa.
There are 12 monks in the monastery.
The funeral was held at the Kirimetiya burial grounds on Friday in the presence of monks including Thrikunamale Ananda Thera, Walawe Sumedhaloka Thera, Nindane Kassappa Thera and Thailanthaye Ajan Medino Thera.
(Additional reporting by Gamini Mahadura and D.G. Sugathapala.
Pix by Amila Gamage)
