Buddhist leaders of the three sects have decided to oppose the 20th Amendment to the Constitution as well as the increasing politicisation of independent commissions. The Bhikkhu Front of the National Movement for a Just Society recently requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to reconsider the appointments that have been made to independent commissions as many serious issues have arisen regarding certain members who have been recommended by the Parliamentary Council as members of statutory commissions.
The decision was taken at a special discussion held on Sunday (13), with the participation of a group of leading monks regarding the democratic challenges the country is facing today. The discussions also focused on possible interventions to negate such issues.
Accordingly, the following decisions were taken at the special discussion that was held with the participation of nearly 25 Buddhist leaders of the three sects representing various parts of Sri Lanka.
The participants agreed to strongly oppose the 20th Amendment to the Constitution and stressed the need to defeat the constitutional dictatorship established by it.
They also drew attention to the unprecedented deterioration with regard to discipline of Members of Parliament and emphasised that the Speaker and the respective party leaders have to bear the full responsibility of rectifying this issue without delay.
They observed that the Buddhist clergy in this country are now unable to express their views freely and voiced their resentment over the deployment of CID officers on monks who had questioned certain decisions of the government.
They also expressed their displeasure at the government's use of racism and religious bigotry to sustain political power in the country and noted the serious consequences of such actions on the society.
They also emphasised that monks have the right to freedom of expression without any fear just as any citizen has the right to freedom of expression in this country.
They pointed out that the people of the country should pay attention to the massive destruction of the environment and the destruction of ancient archeological sites which are being executed on a large scale throughout the country.
Commenting on the political witch hunt against a number of government officials including Shani Abeysekera, one of the most decorated officers of the CID, they noted that it was "disgusting" and called on the government to take immediate action to end such politically motivated endeavours.
The discussions were held in Colombo under the patronage of the Chief Incumbent of the Thissava Raja Maha Viharaya Ven. Mugunuwatawana Siddhaththa Thero, Anu Nayaka of the Amarapura sect Ven. Madampagama Assaji Thero and the Registrar of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya Ven. (Prof.) Attangane Rathanapala Thero.
Other Buddhist leaders that participated at this forum included the Chief Incumbent of the Rathvitha Raja Maha Viharaya, Ven. Mahagalkadawala Punyasara Thero, Chief Sangha Nayaka of the Kalutara district Ven. Bopitiye Dhamissara Nayake Thero, Registrar of the Polonnaruwa district and senior lecturer of the Kelaniya university Ven. (Dr) Lagumdeniye Piyarathana Nayake Thero, the Registrar of Social Development in the Ramanna Sect Ven. Karakole Piayadassi Nayake Thero, Anunayake of the Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha Ven. Madampagama Asaaji Nayake Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Nugegoda Nalandarama Viharaya Ven. Theeniyawala Palitha Thero, Chief Sangha Nayake of the Western Province Ven. Kithalagama Hemasara Nayake Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Usgala Raja Maha Viharaya Ven. Nikaweratiye Mangalanayake Thero, Principal of Dudley Senanayake College Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Wathupana Raja Maha Viharaya Ven. Daliwe Narada Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Werahera Siddhaththarama Ven. Alabadagama Seelakanda Thero and Chief Incumbent of the Kusinarama Raja Maha Viharaya Ven. Kothmale Dharmapriya Thero.
Furthermore, accepting an invitation by the Buddhist leaders, former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, SJB MPs Patali Champika Ranawaka, Tissa Attanayake, Mano Ganeshan and a number of civil society representatives including university lecturers also took part in the discussions.
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