Born in the village of Kirinde in Matara, Sri Lanka, Dhammananda spent most of his life and career in Malaysia.

After arriving in Malaya in 1952, now part of Malaysia, Dhammananda established himself as a leading Theravada Buddhist monk in the region and was appointed as the Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia.

In 2000, Dhammanada was honored with the Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja award by the Myanmar government.

Dhammananda died on 31 August 2006 at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre in Selangor, Malaysia.

[2] It was claimed that there were auspicious signs including lights and auras around the funeral site.