President steering country in right direction

Mahanayake tells Archbishop of Canterbury:

Bandara Pilawala

KANDY: President Mahinda Rajapaksa is now steering the country's administration on the right track, hence it was the bounden duty of the clergy and religious leaders to extend the hand of support and not interfere with the administration, and bring undue pressure and distract him from the course he is following bringing the country back to normalcy, said Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Ratanapala Thera.

He was receiving the Archbishop of Canterbury Most Rev. and Hon. Doctor Rowan Williams at the Asgiri Temple Simamalakaya, Kandy yesterday.

The Asgiriya Prelate said the duty of the religions whether in Sri Lanka or outside world was not to get involved in the internal matters of administration but help the leaders to carry on with their administrative work.

"Our role is to advise, and guide them to follow the correct path. That is the "noble duty" which the country expect of us". The Mahanayake Thera said.

There is no division among the people in this country. They do not divide people on the basis of caste, creed or their nationality. The people would like to live in peace and harmony as one family-brothers and sisters, he said.

It is just a handful - a group of people who respect nothing and show no regard to human life and human rules who had taken up arms and try to create mayhem, the Mahanayake said.

They are guerilla groups and they have created rifts and ethnic strife we experience today. The peace-loving ordinary and simple people of the Tamil community have been caught up in this strife. But what is heartening to note is despite all these there is brotherhood, and friendship among people of all communities that comprise this beautiful island, the Prelate told the visiting religious dignitary.

The Mahanayake Thera expressed fear that if the conflict situation continues the country would have to face more hardships. The rulers, laity and religious leaders of all religions wish to see that all people live in peace and harmony. That is our wish. Your visit to Sri Lanka at this juncture is most welcome," the Mahanayake Thera said.

Malwatte Chapter Mahanayake Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera said Sri Lanka and Britain maintain cordial relationship for many long years. Over centuries has been immensely supported by your country and we appreciate that.

Most Rev. Hon. DOC. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury said he came to Sri Lanka with a view to meet all religious leaders. "Sri Lanka is held in high esteem and we come here to express our love and warmth to the people living in harmony though belong to different ethnic and religious groups. You have set an example for others to follow.

It is however regrettable this beautiful country is saddled with an etnic strife. It is something very surprising to us.' We are very keen to see that all of you belonging to different groups and religions live in harmony as you did in the past," the Archbishop said.

From the depth of our hearts we bless you, bless the people of the country so that they can live once more as brothers and sisters," Bishop of Kurunegala Kumar Illangasingha, British High Commissioner Dominic Chilcott and Colombo Bishop Dulip Chikera were present.