| Diyawadana Nilame of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic ශ්රී දළදා මාලිගාවේ දියවඩන නිලමේ | |
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| Style | The Honourable |
| Nominator | Mahanayaka Theros of Malwatta Vihara and Asgiriya Vihara Assistant Government Agents holding office within the Kandyan provinces Basnayaka Nilames of all dewales situated within the Kandyan provinces |
| Appointer | Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs |
| Term length | Ten years |
| Inaugural holder | Kapuwaththe Adhikaram |
| Formation | 2 March 1815 |
Diyawadana Nilame is the office of the chief lay custodian of the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Formerly an office of the royal household, at present it is the trustee for the Temple of the Tooth as defined by the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance of 1931.[1] A ceremonial position, enriched with over two thousand years of history to protect and carry out ancient rituals for the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. The Diyawadana Nilame recognised as a states man has the responsibility of overseeing of all aspects of the Sri Dalada Maligawa. He has the traditional duty of organizing the annual pageant, the Kandy Esala Perahera. The current Diyawadana Nilame is Pradeep Nilanga Dela.
Prior to 1815, during the Kingdom of Kandy, the Diyawadana Nilame was a courtier of the royal court tasked with supplying the King with water and carrying out the ancient rituals to ensure rain during correct seasons.[2][3] This duty is still carried out by the Diyawadana Nilame for the most relic of the tooth of the Buddha, marked by the water cutting ceremony on the final day of the Esala Perahera.[4]