A great loss for Sri Lanka and world
By Prof Lakshman R. Watawala-2018-02-08The Buddhist World, other religious heads, eminent local and international dignitaries and lay public were shocked to hear the news of the passing away of Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Nayaka Thera, the Chief incumbent of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya. Sri Lanka and the world lost a great Buddhist Leader and most sought-after preacher in Buddha Dhamma, both locally and overseas. The reverend thera was one who worked tirelessly to instil human qualities, human values and harmony amongst all religions.
Ven. Prof. Wimalarathana Nayaka Thera won great respect from the community at large, was of pleasing character, approachable, charming, holding high profile responsibilities, providing community services and a voice of reason for national reconciliation, a need of the hour.
The brother of the Ven. Thera, Ven. Dr Bellanwila Dharmarathana Nayaka Thera, currently Religious Adviser of the Buddhist Library in Singapore and Sanghanayake of Singapore, was also a tower of strength and a guiding light.
Scholarly monk
Ven. Prof. Wimalarathana Thera, a scholarly monk, obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree offering Sinhala, Pali and Economics from the Vidyalankara University of Kelaniya and in 1972 obtained an Honours Degree in Pali language and Literature from the University of Sri Lanka Vidyodaya campus. He thereafter progressed in his academic achievement by obtaining a PhD from the University of Lancaster, UK in 1982.
With these academic and professional achievements, the reverend Thera went on to become the Principal of Paramadhamma Chetiya Pirivena in Ratmalana, Lecturer at Teacher Training College for Buddhist monks at Ratmalana. At Sri Jayewardenepura University he served as a visiting lecturer, lecturer, Associate Professor and Professor. Ven. Thera also served as a visiting professor at the school of Oriental and African Studies at University of London, UK.
Ven. Prof. Wimalarathana Thera was the Chancellor of the Sri Jayewardenepura University, which he had served in different capacities since 1980.
This scholar monk also held many high-profile responsibilities and served on many Boards of Management in Academic Institutions.
He was a member of University Senate - University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Member Board of Management National Institute of Education (NIE), Member of Academic Committee - Buddhist and Pali University, Member of Academic Committee of the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya. He also served as a Member of the National Education Commission since 2006 and a Member of the Advisory Council of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress.
Ven. Prof. Wimalarathana Thera served as the Secretary General of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha of Shyamopali Mahanikaya and thereafter as the Anunayaka Thera. During this period the Ven. Thera was a tower strength to the Mahanayake Thera, Ven. Ittepana Dhammalankara Thera, Ven. Prof. Kotapitiye Rahula Anu Nayaka Thera and the Nayaka Theras of the Kotte Chapter temples, which included the Sri Jayewardenerama Viharaya at Cotta Road and was closely associated with the Nayaka Thera Ven. Shastripathi Devahandiye Sri Pangnasekera Thera. This also gave me an opportunity to meet the Ven. priest and other high priests of the Kotte Chapter including the Late Ven. Sobhitha Nayaka Thera, who were always present at various pinkamas and dana at the temple.
International recognition
In the international arena Ven. Prof. Wimalarathana Thera serves as the Secretary General of the World Buddhist Sangha Council. Also was a frequent invitee to address many Buddhist conferences and inter-religious conferences. These included the Inter-religious conference of India in New Delhi in 2009, General Assembly of Religions in Peace in New York in 2008, South Asia Inter-faith Harmony Conclave New Delhi 2007, 7th General Conference of World Buddhist Sangha Council in Taipei, Taiwan in 2000, Global Hindu Buddhist Initiative on Conflict Avoidance and Environment in September 2015.
The Ven. Thera was also a frequent visitor to the London Buddhist Vihara and a close associate of the Late Head monk Most Ven. Medagama Vajiragnana Nayaka Thera, Head of London Buddhist Vihara, delivered the Anagarika Dharmapala's 150th Birth Anniversary Oration at the London Buddhist Vihara.
Buddhist literature
Another noteworthy contribution of this great monk was to enrich the Buddhist literature. Not only was he a voracious reader, reputed orator and Dhamma preacher, but also a brilliant writer in both Sinhala and English languages.
The Ven. Thera published many books on Buddhism in English and Sinhala, which included Buddhism Society and Environment, Concept of Great Man in Buddhist literature and Iconography, Buddhism among other religions, Facts of Buddhism. Also translation to English of the Anguttara Nikaya Vol 1, Manasa Sinhala Translation of Mind Unshaken by Ohn Valters, Sanyutta Nikaya, Minisage Aagam.
Social service activities
The Ven. Thera served as Chairman, Sri Lanka Community Department Foundation, Bellanwila which assists the people in the village in various community development projects and vocational guidance for young school leavers.
In 1984, I remember as the Chairman of the People's Bank attending a function at the temple where the bank provided loans for those starting small businesses and for the purchase of three-wheelers for self-employment. There was also a gift of computers from Singapore to educate the youth in the computer applications.
This is only a fraction of the many social service projects carried out under the guidance of the Ven. Thera providing education, training, skill development and job opportunities for the youth.
Interreligious activities
Interreligious activities included serving as the Co-President and founder Member of the Congress of Religions and President of Religion for Peace. He always stood for a Unitary State and National Unity where all citizens were Sri Lankans and worked very closely with all religious dignitaries to achieve peace and harmony.
The tributes paid by many religious leaders show the great respect for the lead role in interreligious activities and brining all religions together.
The Ven. Thera came to the rescue of the business community at a time of grave national crises between Sinhalese and Muslims when the Halal registration became a very hot issue and was a threat which could have destroyed local businesses and the economy of the country. This was ultimately settled by both parties. The businessmen assisted by the respective religious leaders with Ven. Prof. Wimalarathana Thera playing a lead role to bring about a peaceful solution accepted by all parties.
The Ven. Thera also participated in the Sri Lanka Economic Summit organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in the year 2008 and gave expert comments as a panellist and also provided guidance to business leaders at all times.
Grand Esala Perehera
The Esala Perahera of the Bellanwila Viharaya commenced in 1950, under the guidance of Ven. Bellanwila Sri Somaratana Nayaka Thera, during a very difficult period. However, it has now developed as a leading Esala Perahera in Sri Lanka in the Colombo District with the participation of many traditional dancers, elephants and other processions displaying the rich cultural traditions of Sri Lanka. Ven. Prof. Wimalarathana Thera was responsible for the development of the Esala Perehera to achieve this high level.
Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha
The Maha Nayaka Thera of Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, Ven. Dr. Iththepane Dhammalankara Thera, Ven. Prof. Wimalarathana Thera, and Ven. Prof. Kotapitiye Rahula Anu Nayaka Thera and the Committee of the Kotte Maha Sangha and the late Ven. Madhuluwawe Sobhitha Nayaka Thera was also another key member of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha and they were a strong force for all Buddhists and the passing away of Ven. Prof. Wimalarathana Thera has left a great void in the Buddha Sasana and Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, the Maha Sanga and the Dayakayas. It is indeed a loss of voice for the Sinhala Buddhists and national interests and a guiding light for the youth of this country, and a great loss for Sri Lanka and the World.
May the Ven. Thera attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana!
(Writer is the President Sri Jayewardeneramaya Temple, Vice President All Ceylon Buddhist Congress,
Vice President Sasana Sevaka Society (Colombo Branch) Narada Dharmayathanaya)
