A GREAT LOSS TO PEACE AND RECONCILIATION

One of the most prominent saffron-clad Sri Lankan emissaries, Most Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayake Thera, who brightened the seat of monkhood, socio-religious harmony and reconciliation in our times, having championed the crusade against stinking politics and its hegemonic impact on us, is no more. His sudden demise at a time his critical guidance is most needed to rid our body politics of its pollutants came as a scathing blow to all moderate and right-thinking segments of our society on the eve of our 70th Independence day, particularly after the passing-away of his university colleague, Most Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Nayake Thera, who had left an indelible mark among all of us. Memories of Ven. Wimalaratana

Thera, no doubt would continue to linger in our minds for the rest of our lives. This is because he was not only affiliated with the Sangha fraternity, but also with the laity (Dayakayas) who venerated him as an outspoken monk in our country. In one sense, he remained a strong supporter of social justice and reforms. He was also an author of many books, a role model for his Kotte Sangha Sabha members, an erudite scholar at academic levels, a straight forward voice for the voiceless and the most distinguished monk in the province he lived in.

Born in Bellanwila 76 years ago on a noteworthy day (14 April), he belonged to a well-known family lineage of ‘Omaththage’ in the area in a family of several brothers. It was the then incumbent, Most Ven. Bellanwila Sri Somaratana Nayake Thera-highly respected as the pioneer of contemporary revival of the ancient Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya- who ordained our protagonist in focus the late Ven. Wimalaratana Thera as Ven Somaratana’s novice monks (samanera). These monks followed the basic Dhamma education at the Vidyalankara Pirivena and later took up university education.

SOCIALIST POLITICS

A fact that remained very distinct in his varsity days was his close association with the then socialist-leftist doctrine of the Philip Gunewardene’s era, et al. He also, it is said, was instrumental in organizing student protests inside the campus against different issues as young revolutionary monks of the times, an experience that would have perhaps carried him forward into his subsequent firebrand types of protests as he matured later on to be a full-pledged scholar and a social reformer. Upon the The remains of Most. Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Anunayake Thera demise of his Guru, Ven Somaratana

Thero in 1984, he was compelled to take the reins as the Viharadhikari in this huge place of worship since

Ven. Dhammaratana Thera, his own elder brother, had by then migrated to Singapore on missionary work. The Bellanwila temple was his forte afterwards. After receipt of his Doctorate (PHD) from the University of Lancaster

in UK and his return, he was invited to the University of Sri Jayawardenapura for academic teaching. There, he rose to be the Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist and Pali Studies until his subsequent pre-retirement due to ever-increasing workload in the temple. He might be one of the most rare personages who had gradually reached the apex of office as the Chancellor in the very university where he served as a lecturer.

Late Wimalaratana Thera as a scholar took to writing at first to university journals, magazines, newspapers, etc before he penned his own books of academic research and value. ‘ Buddhism & other Religions’, ‘Evolution of Making Buddha Statues’, ‘Viharalipi Saraniya’, ‘Paramitha Sarana’, are among some of the most popular ones he authored. His Sinhala translation of the ‘Unshaken Mind’ (Noselena Manasa ) was serialized in national newspapers and it grabbed the attention of many an intellectual and readers.”there is nothing amusing, like writing or authoring a book for me since it is my simple hobby. It is actually what I enjoy most as I grow older and older,” he once plainly quipped to this writer during an interactive meet at the temple many moons ago. He was so close to our hearts and just a few days before his untimely death, he was found giving final touches to his latest research book on a new theme.

VIBRANT SOCIAL REFORMER

The tripartite combination of Ven. Iththepane Dhammalankara Nayake Thera, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera and Ven. Wimalaratana Thera did not take long to emerge as dedicated guardians of the common-folk as the political scenario after 1995 changed, apparently shifting towards a policy of appeasing separatists who were fighting for division of the country. The trio stood their ground firm, unmoved and opposed vehemently to those moves as it would be disastrous to the country, if any division were to take place as planned by some political authorities of the times. All appeals fell on deaf ears and finally street protests led by the trio, began to swell and rotated round the Parliament roundabout near

Diyawannawa, flanked by thousands of protesting monks and patriotic civilians. Their leadership compelled the then Government to shelve that plan of action and changed their discourse. Needless to highlight, Ven. Wimalaratana Thera who had the gift of the gab and the ability to convey the repercussions of any such ill-conceived political move won the day. For him, any assembly of pre-determined decision-makers was only a public platform where diverse opinions were aired. Hence, the late Thera was always invited to speak, may it be a meeting of monks, politicians or otherwise since he had the distinguished quality of addressing the concerns of the full picture of the issue at hand. He was admired and respected for such forthrightness and honesty. The Ven. Thera received much respect for this attitude from all quarters of nonbuddhist dignitaries as well.

Fearless Ven. Wimalaratana Thera never stood for communal politics nor got onto any such stage during his illustrious life, full of spirits. Nor did he play hosannas to anyone how much mighty he would be since he did not expect any personal favours from any person.

STANCE ON RELIGIOUS AMITY

Another outstanding feature in him was his very close association with religious chiefs of all denominations through the Congress of Religions which he co-chaired until his demise. He fully believed in reconciliation, co-existence and ethnic harmony and always distanced himself from passions of communal hatred and extreme ideologies, harboured by some of his own community, Maha

Sangha and others. Though he at times was subjected to criticisms, he stuck to his guns and challenged his dissidents to prove otherwise, if possible. The presence of Rev Oswald Gomis, Bishop, Rev Kenneth Fernando, Kurukkal and Moulavis in the temple premises soon after the news of his unfortunate death took to wings, proved this touch amply. That was a fitting tribute to his celebrated name, Ven. Wimalaratana Thera unbowed in the presence of any mighty person, but was a friend of all strata of society. CONTD. FROM PAGE