Dr. W. G. Weeraratne, Editor - in- Chief of the Encyclopaedia of Buddhism has passed away. He joined the editorial staff of the Encyclopaedia of Buddhism in 1959 and served on the project for 51 years and was instrumental in completing the encyclopaedia, which consists of 8 volumes.

Dr W.G. Weeraratne entered the University of Ceylon in 1953, having won the Professor M.B.Ariyapala Gold Medal awarded to the best student of the year in Oriental Studies at Mahinda College, Galle.

In 1957 he obtained the B.A. degree, having followed an honours course in Pali with Sanskrit as the subsidiary subject. He obtained the M.A. degree in Buddhism in 1961 and in 1975 the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the University of Lancaster in UK.

Dr. Weeraratne worked as a research assistant in Sinhala and as a visiting lecturer in Buddhism in the Dept. of Pali and Buddhist Civilization in the University of Ceylon. He has written and published several books on Buddhism and Buddhist culture.

The remains of Dr. Weeraratne lie at No. 13, Mihiri Pedesa, Katubedda.

The funeral takes place at 5.00pm at the Mt Lavinia Cemetery on Thursday 13th February. Cortege leaves the residence at 3.30 pm.