VEN. PROF. BELLANWILA WIMALARATHANA THERO

Ash-Shaikh H. Abdul Nazar
Director, Centre for Spiritual Solidarity

With a shock and sorrow I received the news of the death of Venerable Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera yesterday.

Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thero is held in high esteem in Sri Lanka. He held many a prominent position and leaves us as the chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, which post he held since 2000 and Visiting Professor of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, United Kingdom.

Ven. Thera is the chief incumbent of Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara, President of the Bellanwila Community Development Foundation and Anunayake of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha of the Syamapali Maha Nikaya, one of the three sects of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Venerable Thero certainly worked to see Sri Lanka a tranquil and prosperous country in which all the communities could live in harmony with each other. His passion for peace and harmony indeed won the admiration of masses.

Being the president of the Congress of Religions, Ven. Thera played a pivotal role in bringing about a lasting peace in our blessed motherland.

Being a member of the Congress of Religions, I had closely worked with him. I found him a true patriot with broad-mindedness and acceptance of due rights of all Sri Lankans irrespective of race and religion.

At a time I mourn the demise of Venerable Thera, I vividly recall the events in which I associated with him, meetings that I attended in his presence, conferences in which I participated together with him and tours he and I had along with other religious leaders. The overseas journeys we had as a delegation of the Congress of Religions are really unforgettable. Our tours to India and South Africa are some of such cherished memories.

While the whole nation is happily and proudly celebrating the 70th Independence Day of our mother Lanka, it has happened to mourn the passing away of an eminent and leading Thera.

I take this opportunity to express my profound condolences to kith and kin of Ven. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thero.

May the vision and mission Ven. Thera had for this gorgeous Island be continued in the hearts and minds of the people!

February 4, 2018