Munidasa was born on July 25, 1887 in Idigasaara, Dickwella, Matara, Sri Lanka. He was the second youngest among his 12 other siblings. His mother was Palavinnage Dona Gimara Muthukumarana and his father was Abious Kumaranatunga, a physician practicing indigenous medicine who kept invaluable Pali and Sanskrit manuscripts on Ayurveda medicine, Astrology and Buddhism.
Education
Munidasa attended Wewurukannala Pirivena to learn Pali and Sanskrit in order to become a Buddhist monk. But due to his family's disapproval, he attended the GovernmentTeachers' College in Colombo. He graduated after two years of training in 1907.
Teaching career
His first appointment was as a government teacher in the Bilingual School of Bomiriya. He was later promoted to the principal of the Kadugannawa Bilingual School. After 11 years, he was promoted to the inspector of schools, a position he held for four years.
Literary/scholarly career
He wrote his first book during his school days; Nikaya Sangraha Vivaranaya, an analysis for a Scripture on BuddhistMonastic Orders. Munidasa was a member of the Sinhala Maha Sabha of the Swabhasha movement which started as a protest against the English educated elites.
Hela Havula
Munidasa spoke of language, nation, and country as a Triple Gem, linking these entities to the Buddhist concept of refuge. To pursue these sources of refuge, he founded the Hela Havula. It consisted of people who shared his views on Sinhala language and literary efforts. They often engaged in debates and literature. It was the starting point for many scholars and artists and exists to this very day.
Journalism
Munidasa revived the Lakminipahana newspaper. He also started the Subasa and Helio magazines to teach and promote the correct use of Sinhala.
Challenging the tradition
Munidasa had unique and creative opinions and said, "Vociferous fools would say that we should free our country, without first freeing our mind and thoughts." His concepts on Sri Lankan history, language and literature have been controversial. He emphasized and encouraged the use of the letter "ඇ". He argued that Vijaya, traditionally identified as the first Sinhalese king, was merely an invader and believed in Ravana, a mythological Sri Lankan ruler.
Family
In 1921, Munidasa married Lilly Laviniya Peiris in Pallimulla, Panadura. They had two daughters and four sons.
Quotes
"If a certain language is underdeveloped, the land in which that language operates is also underdeveloped."
"Dangerous are the times for Sri Lanka. If the importing of rice stopped, we would have nothing to eat. If importing of materials stopped, we would have nothing to wear. If it was not for the vehicles imported from other countries, we would have no means of travelling."
"First Be A Slave To Knowledge — Then Knowledge Will Be Your Slave"
