Venerable Polwatte Pagnananda, the chief incumbent of SIBC, entered the order of bhikkus in 1965 in Sri Lanka under the patronage of Venerable Mullegama Seelananda and Labugama Lankananda Maha Theros. He received his higher ordination in 1974 from Akurana Pannaransi Maha Thero, the Sanghanayake (leader) of the Raigama Korale (Siamese sect-Kotte chapter).
He received his early education from Paravahera Pagnananda Maha Thero at Dharmaduta Buddhist Seminary in Colombo, and later studied at Vidyaratana Affiliated University Parivena. In 1977 he completed the GCE Advanced Level Examination, in 1981 the First Examination of the Pracina Panditha degree, and in 1983 received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kelaniya. He was active in various religious and social activities in the Horana area from 1986 to 1994, and was eventually appointed as the chief incumbent of the Boddalgoda Sri Devarakshita Temple.