Demise of Ven. Bellanwila Wimalaratana a great loss to country: Amunugama

Special Assignments Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama issuing a statement on the demise of Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana said that his passing away was a great loss to the country. The Minister’s statement is as follows:

I have associated with Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana for a long time. He has performed a very valuable service in the spheres of the Buddha Sasana, the nation’s welfare and academia. Throughout, he also provided invaluable guidance to the people and political leaders. 

He never sacrificed his principles for narrow personal gain. He never stooped to acquire personal benefits. He was not afraid to voice his concern in public whenever there was any threat to the national interest. Therefore the passing away of Ven. Wimalaratana Thera is a great loss to the country. Ven. Bellanwila Wimalaratana rendered a great service functioning as a Professor in the Arts Faculty of the Sri Jayewardenepura University. His writings of scholarly articles and books were a tremendous contribution to the field of academics and the Buddha Sasana. He performed this great service silently, without pomp and ceremony. He pursued his mission with discipline and in silence. That is an example to many people at the present time. 

Ven. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayaka Thera made known his counsel appropriately whenever any social, economic, political or cultural decline manifested itself in the country. The Ven. Thera took care to express his views on such occasions, impartially and with decorum. We know that he did not make use of such occasions to abuse or hold people to ridicule. Everyone gave serious consideration to the views expressed by him on such critical and grave issues.    

The demise of our respected Nayaka There has occurred just at a time when we have great need of such elders in the Sasana. The loss of such erudite and intelligent monks at this time is an irreparable loss to everyone. The void created by his demise will be felt for a long time by our people and their leaders. 

May the Ven. Wimalaratana NayakaT hera, who devoted his life for an unsullied Sasana, attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.