 Walisinghe Harischandra joined the Mahabodhi Society, which had been established by Anagarika Dharmapala, a prominent figure of Sri Lankan (Sinhala) Buddhist nationalist movement.He worked first as the assistant secretary and later as the Secretary of Mahabodhi Society.In 1899 he went across to India and was involved in the construction of the Maha Bodhi Vihara in Sanchi.