- Nuwara Viththi

By L.B.Senaratne
Anu Nayake of Asgir Maha Viahre Venerable Waiyapola Sumanala Thera and also the Head at the Shudhumpola Viahre in Kandy is much spoken as the person who is alleged to have intervened to hoist the Union Jack before the reading of the sette4lemtn of the the Kandy Kingdom to the British King. after 2300 yeas

But this monk hss to be remembered for his period of a jail sentnce and in Jaffna Centrral Jail from which he was released by Sir Edward Barnes two yeafrs later, having undergone continuous difficulties within the Brinson walls. Some believe that the Thera would have spent some time at Delft Prion as well
But, unfortunately, the Thera has not been spoken of his intervention of prevent the Sacred Tooth Relic from the capture by the British to be taken to the Tower of London for safekeeping and would have been their for the rest of the time without the people of Sri Lanka ever viewing it during their lifetime.
He also spearheaded as the mover of the 1818 Rebellion with Keppetipola and the spiriting away the Sacfred Tooth Relic from the hands of the British.
The monk is said to have had the Sacred Tooth Relic with the original receptacle brought by Priness Hemmamali. The Thera is said to have had the Saced Relic sewed on to the hem of the robe and is believed to have had it on the left shoulder.
But, a Kandyan chief had pointed out the Thera to be arrested by a Scotissh Seapoy

Neil O’Brian.
The Thera was tried for Treason and also for stealing the Sacred Tooth Relic which had by then the property of the British Army.
Hving been held in the Prison for nearly two years in conditions that cannot be accounted, he was released on 13th April 1821,under teh orders of Sir Edward Barnes.
But the Thera never came back to his temple nor his hometown but livider in Jaffna as a aestic disposing the Kandyan people.
Though it is not recorded, the Thera is said to have passed away on he streets of Jaffna in 1825 but some say in1832
This is what people should speak of Venerab le Wariyiapola Sumanagla Thera for sacrificing his life to protect the Sacred Tooth Relic. and not a another object of CeyCeylon at the Tower of London.