Ven. Punnaji Mayurawansa  thero was born in to a buddhist family on 20th August 1918. His birth place was the village of Walasgala Dematapitiya in the boarder of matara Hambanthota district of southern province. While he was having his primary education from Moggali puththathissa Buddist mix school up to grade 6, On 12th September 1932 he was ordained as a Buddhist monk named Walasgala Punnaji Mayurawansa under the guidance of Ven Panditha Matara Sri Dharmawansa Thero.

Ven Punnaji Mayurawansa Thero received higher ordination on 04th of 1940 and started Sri Dharma Wansika Dhamma School in the village called Matara Madhiha. At the same time he started Sri Mangala Dhaham School in his own temple. He developed an enthusiasm in teaching of damma at maharagama bikku training center for a long time and made a great effort in attending to cancer patients of cancer hospital in maharagama with the assistance of donors. Beautiful buddist shrine room which was built in the premises of hospital is a marvelous creation of Mayurawansa thero. His aim was to perform his duties towards the nation as well as the country through sheer perseverance. With the intention of that he fully accomplished himself to achieve his target. Mayurawansa thero believed the experience gain from the society is surpasses the knowledge gain from written material.Matara Arogyasewa sangamaya which was established in june 1962 under the guidance of Mayurawansa thero and the assistance of well-known chieftain Mr C.A Harischandra was a remarkable social service in the area.

Service rendered by Mayurawansa thero in launching food providing service to the patients in matara general hospital should be greatly appreciated. keerthi kumara children home which is guided by mayurawansa thero for the orphanage age between 5-12 is a well maintained children home in the area. Mayurawansa thero purchased the neighboring land and built a meditation center which can be facilitated for more than 56 meditators. He also purchased a neighboring house and developed it as a home for pensioners. It was open in 2000 under the patronage of Mayurawansa thero.

Even at the age of 94 Mayurawansa thero didn’t give up his service towards the Buddhist literature. He addresses the people throughout the island through the Wijaya newspaper giving proper solutions for their day to day problems. This service was done by him regardless of religious or any other differences. Mayurawansa thero never chased any distinction or privileges. He was a noble bikku monk who showed an exemplary character. It is his policy to dedicate according to his own conscience.

Sri Mangala Montessori and the day care center are very famous institutions among the people in the area. Mayurawansa thero dedicated his life for the benefit of children as well as adults who need protection and care in their critical hours. In appreciating this service he was honored with the title of Sri Dammawansha Wanshalankara Patipaththi Shasana Jothika Kammatta Wisharada  by Ven. Wewaldeniye Medananda thero.

Retired damma teacher of Rahula college and a well-known preacher Ven Walasgala Pagngnasiri thero is a student of mayurawansa thero. He continuous social service of Nayaka thero towards the society without any hesitation. Ven pagngnasiri renders his service as the advisor and the managing director of the matara arogya sewa samithiya. Reverend kalaniye Ajitha thero, the damma teacher of denagama vidyalaya is also a student of mayurawansa thero and he also follows the foots steps of Mahanayaka thero.