Views on statement made by Opposition Leader on JHU bhikkhus

by Ananda Kannangara

Sri Jayawardanapura University, Chancellor Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratane Thera expressed his disapproval over the word `Dusseela Sangamaya', used by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Jathika Hela Urumaya Bhikkhu MPs in Parliament.

"A respected senior statesman such as the Opposition Leader who at one time was the Prime Minister should not have used such a low word on clergy".

The Ven. Thera further said even during the periods of kings, educated laymen were in the habit of pointing out the weaknesses of the clergy in a different way for the betterment of the society.

"Therefore, our Opposition Leader too would have made his comments on the selling of luxury vehicles by the bhikkhu parliamentarians in a very polite manner."

The Thera also said he was totally against Buddhist monks, indulging in political activities and said that their responsibility is not to rule the country, but to advise the rulers and also to propagate Buddhism for the sake of future generations.

"Did you hear of any Buddhist monk in our country become a ruler; therefore my advice to the bhikkhu generation in the country is to refrain from taking to politics as it is against the Buddhist principles."

Galle District, UNP MP Gayantha Karunatillaka decried the allegations made by some Buddhist monks, politicians and various people on the statement made by Opposition Leader on the selling of duty free vehicles by JHU bhikkhus.

"Actually, the Opposition Leader did not blame the Maha Sangha by using any filthy word. He only mentioned the promises made by the so called JHU bhikkhus during the election period.

"Everybody knows these bhikkhus did not fulfil any promise that they made after entering Parliament".

He said during the election period, the JHU clearly made an announcement, that the Parliamentary perks, including the duty free vehicles would not be taken by them.

"Everybody in the country knows the pledges they made before the election. They said they would stop the slaughtering of cattle, help dhamma schoolteachers to uplift their profession, renovate all temples which are in a dilapidated state".

He said the Opposition Leader only called upon these JHU monks not to make promises which cannot be fulfilled since they are against the Buddhist philosophy.

Quoting several bhikkhus who rendered a yeoman service to uplift the Buddha Sasana, Karunatillaka said that Ven. Korathota Indasaara Thera in the Ramanna Nikaya and Ven. Rambukwelle Sri Dharmakeerthi Sobitha Thera in the Siyam Nikaya totally rejected bhikkhus engaging in politics.

Ratnapura District MP and Youth Affairs Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi blamed the Opposition Leader Wickremesinghe for insulting remarks he made against the JHU Buddhist monks.

"It is a pity to say that the Opposition Leader has caused disrespect to the Maha Sangha by calling them Dusseela Samagama.

She said, a person such as Ranil must set an example for the younger generation and therefore he must speak with responsibility without making such defamatory remarks against the Maha Sangha.

Puttalam District, UNP MP, Ranga Bandara condemned the remarks made by several people on the statement made by the Opposition Leader on JHU monks.

"The Opposition Leader did not blame the Buddha Sasana or the entire Maha Sangha. He just wanted to tell the people about the wrong act of these JHU monks by selling their duty free vehicles and using that money for other purposes,".

He said during the election period these monks promised the voters that they would never take duty free vehicles, but, it is a pity to say that after being elected to Parliament the monks sold their permits to outsiders and it is a sinful act, committed by them.

He said at any moment people who voted for these monks would institute legal action against the Theras on the grounds that the JHU have not kept the pledges made at the election.

Former Kegalle District, MP, R.A.D Sirisena was against the derogatory remarks made by Ranil Wickremesinghe. "Although Ranil speaks of Buddhism highly, he has discredited Theravada Buddhism by making such remarks." Sirisena said the Opposition Leader has no right to criticise Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera for purchasing a Mercedes Benz as he is entitled to do so as a privilege enjoyed by a Parliamentarian.

A medical practitioner Dr. Kolitha Piyasena of Badulla said that Buddhist people must rally round and make a complaint to the Most Venerable Asgiriya and Malwatta Chapter Mahanayakas on two issues.

"One is to advise the Opposition Leader not to make unnecessary statements against Buddhist monks and other is to advise these JHU Buddhist monks to give up politics for the betterment of the Buddhist society.

Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said that even former Prime Minister Sir John Kotelawala criticised the Maha Sangha once and later became very unpopular.

"I wonder, why the Opposition Leader made such remarks on JHU members, as they had helped the UNP to elect W.J.M. Lokubandara to the highest position in Parliament".

Environmental Authority, Chairman and JHU, Legal Advisor Udaya Gammanpila blamed the Opposition Leader for criticising the JHU members and said that the Opposition Leader has no right to talk about the perks enjoyed by other members, especially the Buddhist monks in Parliament.

"All vehicles, used by JHU monks had been gifted to them, a long time before they entered Parliament," he said.

He said the monks obtained vehicle permits legally given to them and the permits cannot be sold.

"The monks have dedicated their vehicles for a common cause, but UNP MPs do not use their vehicles for common purposes,"

A banker Ratnasiri Palliyaguru said Ranil did not use any filthy words against the JHU monks. What he said was correct, these monks have no right to do politics.

"Therefore I request these monks to resign from Parliament and engage in religious activities,"

Schoolteacher Sumana Samarasinghe of Avissawella said "I am an ardent Buddhist and I would like to tell that, at a time when monks are not permitted even to touch money according to Buddha , these so called JHU monks have committed an offence by selling their vehicle permits,"