Bellana Gnanawimala Mahanayaka Thera passes away

5 October 2014 11:50 am

Mahanayaka of the Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha the Most Reverend Bellana Gnanawimala Maha Nayaka Thera passed away on Saturday at the age of 94.

The Mahanayake Thera is renowned as a great scholar, a highly skilled teacher, an accomplished astrologer and as a much respected Buddhist Prelate.
The Nayaka Thera was the editor of the fifth part of the Mahavamsa which was completed in 2011.

Born on March 26, 1920 as the youngest of the eight children of Bellana Vitanage Baron Appuhamy and Palliyagoda Vitanage Amarishamy in the village of Bellana in the Pasyodun Korale of the Kalutara District, he was named Bellana Vitanage Nonis.

Having had his early education in the Bellana Primary School, he was admitted to the Order under the tutelage of Rantotuwila Sorata Nayaka Thera on 23 May, 1929 at Bellana Sri Dharmapala Pirivena and was named Bellana Gnanawimala.

In recognition of the vast contribution of the Ven. Maha Nayaka Thera, many institutions in Sri Lanka and abroad have conferred Honorary Titles on him.

Some of them are; DLitt by the Buddhasravaka Bhikkhu University (2004), the Bauddha Sahitya Suri by the Vidyalankara Pirivena, and Sri Sumangala Vidyawatamsa by the Vidyodaya Pirivena.

The government of Myanmar has conferred on him the title Agga Maha Pandita.

The remains of the Venerable Thera will be kept for public respect at the Valukaramaya, Kollupitiya and the cremation will take place on Tuesday in Colombo.