Petition filed in Supreme Court:

Bhikkhus oppose amendments to Buddhist Temporalities Act

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

The Joint Association of Trustees entitled to vote at the election of Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy under Section 7 of the Buddhist Temporalities Act No. 19 of 1931 yesterday said that the proposed amendments to the Buddhist Temporalities Act have deprived the voting rights of nearly 149 bhikkhus, 31 Basnayake Nilames and 115 Divisional Secretaries and added that the proposed amendments have adversely affected the Buddhist clergy in Sri Lanka.

The Association's President and Chief Incumbent of Devagiri Rajamaha Vihara, Bingiriya Ven. Malagane Sri Aththadassi Thera told a media briefing at the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress yesterday that the Government has introduced some hasty amendments to the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance without giving adequate time for the bhikkhus to express their views..

"We have already drawn the attention of Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Viharas regarding this issue.

We oppose these amendments made to deprive the voting rights of a large number of bhikkhus who act as the trustees of a large number of Buddhist temples within the Kandyan province.

The Association's Secretary and Chief Incumbent of Walala Raja Maha Vihara Ven. Hasalaka Seelarathana Thera said that this Act was introduced in 1931 to ensure the safety of Buddhist religious places such as Sri Pada, Atamasthana, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Sri Dala Maligawa.

Ven. Seelarathana Thera said according to the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance of 1931, there were 297 voters to elect the Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa which included two Mahanayake Theras of the Mawatta and Asgiriya Chapters, 130 bhikkhus who are the trustees of the Buddhist temples, 31 Basnayake Nilames, 19 lay trustees and 115 Divisional Secretaries.

The proposed amendments have reduced this to a mere 45.

The Association's Vice President and Chief Incumbent of Padeniya Raja Maha Vihara Ven. Katumuluwe Sumanarathana thera said that it was obvious that there is an anti-Buddhist conspiracy behind this move. Amendments are brought to rectify the shortcomings in a Bill, but these amendments have added completely new clauses to the Act. Although we have brought this to the notice of the Maha Nayake Theras, President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Minister, we have not yet received any favourable response.

Chief Incumbent of Rambukpotha Raja Maha Vihara, Ven. Madugasthalawe Wimalabuddhi Thera said the proposed amendments have prevented the Amarapura and Ramanya Nikayas to participate in the election of the Diyawadana Nilame. We have already filed a petition at the Supreme Court in this connection.

If the Government attempts to move this Bill in Parliament, as bhikkhus, we would vehemently protest against it even by sacrificing our lives.