One hundred and fifty (150) homes were built for victims of the 2004 Tsunami
in Hambantota. The homes were handed over to the recipients in a ceremony by
Venerable Bellanwila Dhammaratana Nayake Thero. Ven. Dhammaratana is the Sangha
Niyake of Singapore as well as the Viharadhipathi of Bellanwila Rajamaha
Vihariya. Along with generous support from his devotees in Singapore, he worked
with the Singapore Red Cross Society to gain the major portion of the funds
necessary to complete the project.
Godagama, Hikkaduwa was completely devastated by the Tsunami. Under the direction of Venerable Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayake Thero, Vihadhikari of Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihariya, forty (40) houses were completely rebuild and several more were repaired. Additionally, adjacent land was purchased at a value of Rs. 25000,00.00 and twenty one (21) new homes were constructed.
The venerable monks of the Godagama temple
(Sri Viwekaramaya) cared for the villagers with food,
accommodation, clothing and other critical services. Many of the villagers
stayed under the protection of the temple and its high ground for several days.
To recognize these extraordinary humanitarian services, Venerable Professor
Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayake Thero, with the generous assistance of the World
Buddhist Sangha Council and devotees of Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan and England, has rebuilt the Sanghawasa (residential
quarters) for the bhikkhus of Godagama at a cost of approximately Rs.
8500,000.00. The Sanghawas will be dedicated on 28 December, 2007 by the Most
Venerable Sir Pannavaro, Maha Nayaka of the Theravada Sangha of Indonesia.
In addition to these community development activities, a new house is built each year and donated to the most needy family in the Godagama area. (top)
Bellanwilla Rajamaha Vihariya Declared Sacred Site
On the 27th of June, 2007, Mr. Dinesh Gunawaradena, the Honarable Minister of
Urban Development and Sacred Area Development, declared the Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihariya and the surrounding area as a Sacred Site. Participating in the
ceremony was The Honorable Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka, who
handed over the legal documents the Vidaradhipathi of the temple.
(top)
Bellanwila Pays Last Respects to the Late Ven. Medegama Vajiragnana Nayake Thero
The Late Ven. Medagama Vajiragama Nayake Thero, Chief Incumbent of the London Buddhist Vihariya, had long been closely associated with the activities of Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihariya. His ashes were brought to the temple and exhibited to the public so that they could pay their last respects to the revered Nayake Thero. (top)
Bodhiraja Daham Pasela Golden Jubilee
The Bodhiraja Daham Pasela
( Sunday School) celebrated its Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary)
in June of 2007. Exhibitions, competitions and other special events were
conducted to mark the occasion.
At the same time that young people are focusing on material wealth, they may be
losing their spiritual values. What better way to instill the principles of the
Dhamma in our children than through an educational program such as that offered
by the Bodhiraja Daham Pasela at Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihariya for the last 50
years. For a recent news article about the Jubilee celebration and the history
of the Sunday school, click here. (top)
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This year, as annually in the past, school books and supplies were donated to children from the neediest families. In addition, scholarships and monthly grants were awarded to those students studying for the GCE Addvanced Level Examinations. (top)
The
2007 Annual Esala Festival at Bellanwila Vihara began in August with a week
long pirith chanting ceremony.
The ‘Kap’ planting ceremony took place according to ancient rituals and the Mal
Perahera dedicated to the Buddha paraded within the precincts of the Vihara.
The final Randoli Maha Perahera proceeded along Sri Bodhi Raja Mawatha,
Bellantara - Pepiliyana Road and Vihara Mawatha. The water cutting ceremony was followed by the Deva Dana, organised by the devotees of
Boralesgamuwa. (top)
New Edition of Bellanwila Murals
The second printing of 2000 copies of the Bellanwila Murals, a photo journal of the wonderful frescoes in the Bellanwila image hall, was released this year. The first printing was in 2003 at 1000 copies.
50th Anniversary of the Ordination of
Venerable Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayake Thera
A person is fortunate in this
troubled world to live a
life of 50 years. He would be even more fortunate to live 50 years after his
ordination as a 
Buddhist monk. The true significance of a bhikkhu's life is
gauged by the value of the service he provides to society and to the
Buddhasasana, not by its length. After all, even a crow can live a long life.
The Lord Buddha himself proclaimed the merit of a monk who lives a life of
devotion.
Venerable Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera, ordained 50 years ago in 1956, has become a leading Maha Thera. In his years as an illustrious and erudite scholar, he has gained immense religious knowledge. Among his primary tutor was Venerable Bellanwila Somaratana Nayake Thera, who himself was preeminent among his contemporaries, and Venerable Bellanwila Thero, presently residing in Singapore.
His higher learning, primarily at Vidyalankara and Vidyodaya universities, was under the guidance of the Most Venerable Molligoda Ariyawansa Nayake Thera. In addition to Dhammaduta services in London, he did additional research studies there from 1967 to 1970.
In , he was appointed Secretary General of the World Buddhist Sangha Council thus bringing widely recognized credit to the Sri Lankan Sangha.
He commenced his teaching
career at Sunethra Devi Pirivena, Pepiliyana. Later, he was appointed as the
princial, Paramadhamma Chetiya Pirivena and joined the tutorial staff of Sri
Jayawardenapura University as a lecturer. More recently, he was named as the
chancellor of the same university.
He has excelled as a preacher, writer, missionary, educator and social worker.. He has commanded great respect among dignitaries of all religions and has been invited to serve on various committees and boards. His advice has been sought by the education and media sectors in matters relating to religion and topics of public interest. He has always voiced his opinions honestly and frankly but without rancor. The author of many books in English and Sinhala, his works have been widely read locally and abroad.
On his return from London, he was entrusted with the management of Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihariya, which task he is performing with great vigor. He has organized the modernization of existing buildings and constructed new ones to facilitate the many pilgrims and devotees.
Taking an immediate lead when
the country was devastated by the tsunami, he promptly arranged 
relief
activities and organized housing projects with assistance from local and foreign
friends and devotees.
A grand ceremony was organized at the BMICH where four books authored by Venerable Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana were published to mark the memorable event. The occasion was graced by dignitaries of all religions, the Honorable Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House, ministers and members of Parliament, scholars, academics and a wide range of distinguished guests. Many orations in praise of his academic, religious, cultural and social achievements and his contributions to society were made. (top)
