Maha Sangha must take lead in restoring moral values to tackle crime - Buddha Sasana Minister

CRIME, evil and unlawful acts cannot be tackled by enforcing stringent laws and measures alone. The society too should be moulded to respect age old moral and social values which have fast eroded in the present day society.

The Maha Sangha has a big role to play in restoring these social values and discipline in society, said Minister of Buddha Sasana, Public Security, Law and Order and Deputy Minister of Defence Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka speaking at a ceremony to mark the handing over of the Act of Appointment as the new Sanghanayaka for Galle and Matara Divisions to Ven. Mawanane Amarawansa Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Batuwangala Raja Maha Viharaya, Neluwa recently, the Minister said due to the country being under foreign domination for long years, the age old noble moral and human values existed in our ancient society have disappeared.

"More recently due to the open economic policies and drug culture, these values have further eroded. It is time that all sections especially the Maha Sangha, took the lead in leading the present day society in moulding the minds of the people on the principles of the Buddha Dhamma," he said.

The Government has given high priority to promote Dhamma education through the development of Dhamma Schools to mould minds of the people from a young age.

The government has also launched a program to make the village temple the development centre of the village and not only making the temple the centre for the spiritual-well being but also for economic development of the people, Wickramanayake said. The Minister said the Government has taken stern measurers to stem the spread of crime.

Thirty seven drug traffickers tried to destroy the country but due to the offensive launched by law enforcement sectors they seem to have disappeared. The underworld is also now in disarray, he said.

"We should identify these criminals and deal with them. While trying to curtail the crime wave by stringent action they should also make efforts to mould the minds of the people to respect moral and social values. It is in this respect that the Maha Sangha and religious leaders can play a major role," the Minister said.

Commenting on the new Chief Sanghanayake, the Minister said Ven. Amarawansa Thera had rendered a yeomen service for several decades for the advancement of the Buddha Sasana and the society in general.

He is a beacon of light to the Maha Sangha in the spread of the Buddha Dhamma, the minister added.

Ministers Piyasena Gamage and Vijira Abeywardene also spoke.