Wimalaratana Thera not attacked by Elephant, the Temple clarifies

The Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya addressing the circumstances and in particular the rumours behind the Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera’s injuries and passing away disclaimed that he was attacked by the temple elephant Miyan Kumara. The temple on its official Facebook page claimed that the Thera had suffered a fall while feeding the elephant and that the rumours of him being attacked by the animal are completely false.

Rumours have been rife that the Thera had been attacked by the elephant while attempting to feed the tusker ‘Miyan Kumara’ at the temple premises on the day, a ritual which he is said to carry out almost every morning resulting in him suffering injuries to his ribs.

However speaking to the Media, members of the Dayaka Sabha and other priests of the temple said the Chief Incumbent himself had told them that the elephant did not attack him.

Meanwhile, the Cremation Ceremony of late Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayaka Thera will be held on February 08 at the Sri Jayawardenepura grounds.

Prior to his appointment to the post of Chancellor in the Year 2000, Ven. Thera held the position of Professor, associate professor, lecturer and visiting lecturer, respectively at the Sri Jayawardenapura University. He was also a Visiting Professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies University of London, United Kingdom.

The Ven. Thera obtained a Doctorate in Philosophy (Ph.D) in 1980 from the University of Lancaster, United Kingdom. He also served as the Deputy Chief Prelate (Anunayaka) of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dhamma Maha Sangha Sabha of the Syamopali Maha Nikaya.