The lighting of the funeral pyre of the late Most Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thero, Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura was conducted yesterday. The casket in which the remains were lying was brought to the pyre amid chanting of Seth pirith by the Maha Sangha.

The funeral ceremony of Most Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thero, was held on 8^th February 2018, at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura ground under full state honour. The funeral procession was begun at about 1.00 pm from the Bellanwila Rajamahawiharaya. Thousands of people gathered at the Bellaniwila Rajamahawiharaya and at the University Ground to pay their last respects to the Most. Ven. Wimalarathana Thero.

Religious leaders of different dominations including Maha Sangha, political leaders including President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wikremesinghe, former president Mahinda Rajapakshe, and many other representatives of various fields participated in the funeral ceremony.

Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura with all of the Academic members Non-academic members, Alumni and Undergraduates of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura paid their last respect to the late Most Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thero, who has been the Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura since the year 2000.