Bellanwila Wimalarathana Anunayake Thera First year remembrance falls on February 3rd
Former Chancellor of University of Sri Jayawardenapura, the scholar monk who raised the institution to national and international fame, Bellanwila Wimalarathana Anunayake Thera (1942 – 2018) passed away on the 3rd day of February 2018. Ven. Anunayake Thera’s first remembrance falls on the 3rd day of February 2019. His life was an extremely dedicated life which was completely endowed with a unique personality of his own.
Bellanwila Wimalarathana Anunayake Thera was born on the Sinhala and Tamil New Year day in 1942 at Veedagama in Kalutara district, which was the native village of his mother Buthsilina De Silva. Omaththage Paul Perera was the father, who was the brother of Ven Bellanwila Somaratana Nayake Thera, Chief incumbent of Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya. The little boy was the fourth of the family of six boys and was named as Gilbert. The second boy of this family was entered to the Buddhist Monastery under the tutelage of Ven Somarathana Nayake Thera and was named as Bellanwila Dhammarathana, the current Chief Incumbent of Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya.
The boy Gilbert had received his basic education at Nikape Village School and Piliyandala Central College. Upon the death of his father he was ordinated under the tutelage of Ven Somarathana Nayaka Thera in 1956 and named as Bellanwila Buddharathana, later changed as Wimalarathana. After the ordination this novice monk was enrolled at Pravachanodaya Pirivena in Molligoda and later moved to the prestigious Buddhist institution of Vidyalankara Pirivena in Peliyagoda. After completing the oriental studies with flying colours, Ven Wimalarathana entered the Vidyalankara University and obtained Bachelor of Arts degree in Pali, Sinhalese and Economics. After completing the studies Ven. Thera started his career as the Head Master of Sunethra Devi Pirivena, Pepiliyana. Later he served as the Head Master of Paramadhammachetiya Pirivena Ratmalana and Teachers Training College for Piriven Teachers in Ratmalana. While serving as a head master Ven Thera enrolled to the Vidyodaya University and completed BA Special degree and later completed the formal higher education by obtaining the PhD degree from University of Lancaster, UK in 1980.
After completing the PhD, Ven Wimalarathana Anunayake Thera joined the University of Sri Jayawardenapura and started his career as a lecturer in Pali language. With the immense service of the Thera, gradually he was promoted to the positions of Senior Lecturer, Head of the Department, Associate Professor and Professor. After the retirement Ven Thera was awarded the prestigious position of Chancellor of the same University by Her Excellency Chandrika Bandaranaike, the President of Sri Lanka in 2005.
Ven Thera involved in the administrative activities of Buddha Sasana, through Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sanga Sabha of Siam Sect. Ven Thera joined as a committee member of the Sangha Council in 1972 and later elevated to the positions of Deputy Registrar, Registrar, Upadhyaya and Anunayake consequently.
After the passing away of Ven Bellanwila Somarathana Thera, Ven Dr. Bellanwila Dhammarathana and Ven Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana became Chief Incumbent and Deputy Chief Incumbent of Bellanwila Royal Temple respectively. When Ven Dr. Dhammarathana was involved with the religious activities in Singapore, Prof Wimalarathana undertook all the responsibilities in Bellanwila Temple.
As a scholar, Ven Wimalarathana wrote several books in Sinhala and English. And also he provided his service to the several Buddhist organizations in both local and International. The voice he raised on behalf of the public is unique. He did not hesitate to point out mistakes of politicians in front of them.
The most Venerable Wimalarathana Thera met with an accident while he was feeding the baby elephant of the Temple on 2nd day of February 2018. Ven Thera was rushed to the hospital and had to undergo an operation but he died due to a heart attack at 11.15 am on 3rd day of February 2018.
May Ven Prof Bellanwila Wimalarathana attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!
bY Dimuthu Punsara Colambage
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