Sankha Mapitigama was elected as the new Basnayake Nilame of the historic Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya with a majority of votes.
Sanka Mapitigama , an alumnus of Seevali Central College, Ratnapura, he is the current owner of Godahela Walawwa, Godakawela, Ratnapura.
The selection of a new Basnayake Nilame for the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya took place yesterday (20) at the Ratnapura District Secretariat Auditorium under the patronage of the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs R.M. Gamini Senaratne.
Nine Divisional Secretaries of the Ratnapura District, the Basnayake Nilame of Boltumbe Saman Devalaya and the two (02) temporary trustees of the Uggal Aluth nuwara and Ammaduwa Kuda Kataragama Devalayas were qualified to select a new Basnayake Nilame.
Accordingly, twelve (12) voters were eligible for this election. Eleven (11) of them participated in the election of the new Basnayake Nilame held today (20) and one of them had a vote rejected. Accordingly, the number of valid votes was recorded as 10.
Hishan Sankha Mapitigama, who received the most votes (06 votes), was elected as the new Basnayake Nilame of the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya for the next five (05) years. Accordingly, Hishan Sankha Mapitigama was elected today (2025.08.20), for the next five (05) years.
It is also reported that the person who lost the election had received strong support from the government.