Bellanwila prelate dies from accident when feeding temple elephant
One of Sri Lanka's most respected Buddhist prelates, the Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera, died yesterday after injuries he suffered in a fall when trying to feed an elephant at the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya.
The 75-yearold prelate was until recently the Anunayake of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha of the Syamapali Maha Nikaya. He was also the Chancellor of the Sri Jayewardenepura University.
On Friday, he was treated at a Colombo private hospital, where he passed away.
Temple authorities said that the prelate had told them that the elephant had not attacked him and what happened was an accident.
He was initially rushed to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital before being transferred to the private hospital.
A large number of Buddhist monks, dignitaries and devotees started gathering at the Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara last afternoon as news of the prelate's death came in. Orange flags were hoisted at the temple at houses and business premises around it.
The temple’s ‘Dayaka Sabha’ was due to convene a funeral committee meeting last night, and funeral arrangements are likely to be announced today.