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| Sunday, 4 January 2004 |
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Multi-religious input for anti-conversion laws by Don Asoka Wijewardena The government in its bid to introduce speedy legislation to halt unethical conversions is seeking multi-religious co-operation and has asked Hindu, Christian, Muslim and Buddhist religious dignitaries for their views and suggestions to formulate the necessary laws. Stringent legislation prohibiting religious conversions is expected to come into effect within two months. According to informed sources, a gazette notification to the effect will be issued within the next 15 days, and the draft proposals will be submitted to Cabinet for approval thereafter. The bill prohibiting conversions is expected to be presented to parliament in 60 days. A special committee comprising T. Maheswaram (Minister of Hindu Affairs), Rauff Hakeem, John Amaratunge (Minister of Christian Affairs), Karunasena Kodithuwakku (Minister of Education, Human Resources and Cultural Affairs) and W.J.M. Lokubandara (Minister of Justice, Law Reforms, National Integration and Buddha Sasana appointed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in agreement with President Chandrika Bandaranaika Kumaratunga, have already begun preliminary discussions on anti conversion proposals. Minister of Justice,Law Reforms,National Integration and Buddha Sasana, W.J.M. Lokubandara, told the "Sunday Observer" the Committee had subdivided its areas of responsibilities to seek suggestions, comments, ideas and blessings of all religious dignitaries to formulate the legislation. The proposed legislation seeks to stop religious conversions and introduce drastic legal action against anyone found guilty of persuading people to embrace religions without conviction. He said that Minister Maheswaram would seek necessary suggestions from all Hindu religious institutions, Minister Hakeem would seek from Muslim organisations, Minister John Amaratunge from christian dignitaries amd Minister Lokubandara from Mahanayakas of Asgiriya, Malwattha chapters and Ramanyenekaya. Minister Lokubandara said that a "Buddhist Consultative Commmittee" comprising Mahanayakas of Asgiriya and Malwattha chapters and Ramanyeneyaka would be set up and including Bhikkus attached to the National Bhikku Federation to put forward their comments on how religious conversions could eliminate from the country. The Minister stressed that the Leader of the Opposition, Mahinda Rajapaksa had also agreed to support the new legislation which includes severe penalties on wrong doers. The Ministry of Buddha Sasana will also seek to amend the existing legislation to bring sacred temples and places of worship under the ministry, especially in the North and East which were under the purview of the Department of Archiology. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested the special committee to amend the existing Archiological Act and include religious institutions under the Ministry of Buddha Sasana to facilitate the development of runied temples and places of worship in the country. |
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