Most Venerabale Professor Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thero passes away

The body of the late Most Venerable Bellanvila Vimalarathana Thero is to be moved to the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya. The Viharadhikari of the Bellanvila Rajamaha Viharaya and Chancellor of the Sri Jayawardenapura University Venerable Professor Bellanvila Vimalarathana Thero passed away on the afternoon of , February 3,  while being treated at a private hospital in Colombo. The venerable thero suffered serious injuries following a sudden accident at the Temple on the morning of Friday February 2,  and was rushed to the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital. Thereafter,  he was transferred to a private hospital in Colombo. Most Venerable Bellanvila Vimalarathana Thero was a well knowm speaker. He was 77 years old at the time of his passing. Born on April 14, 1942 as Gilbert Perera, he was the fourth in a family of six He was educated at the Nikape Sri Vijayaraja School and thereafter moved to the Piliyandala Central College. At the age of 13 he attained robes and took the name Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thero. He followed the footsteps of his elder sibling Venerable Bellanwila Dhammarathana Thero and entered the Molligoda Pravananodaya and then in 1957 moved into the Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena for further education. In 1963 he entered the Vidyalankara University and then was appointed assistant lecturer for the University of Sri Jayawardenapura. The Venerable thero also held the positon of Professor and Chancellor at the University and was serving as the Chancellor at the time of his passing. He served as a pioneer in establishing the National Sangha Council and well known for taking leadership at struggles concerning the nation and the Sasana. He is well respected for his services in the language, arts and literature sectors of the country.

Most Venerable Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thero may you attain Nibbana...