'Separate court to settle problems of Maha Sangha'

"Although problems were solved in Uposhathagara secretly in the past today they are solved in open courts. This damages the dignity of the Maha Sangha. Therefore, a court will be established to solve problems regarding the Maha Sangha and temples," said Prime Minister D M Jayaratne.

The Prime Minister participating as chief guest stated this at the opening ceremony of the new two-storeyed Sanghawasa building and a Relic Room held at Sri Sudarshanarama Temple, Polgasovita, Homagama.

The Sanghawasa building built at a cost of Rs 7.3 million consists of a library complex too.

"In the past, problems of the Maha Sangha regarding temples were solved in Uposhathagara. It was a secret place covered with stone pillars. Laymen were not permitted to enter it. Therefore, the privacy of Maha Sangha was protected and Buddhism was not damaged," the Prime Minister said.

"Therefore, what is needed is to recreate what is lost. That's why we decided to solve the problems of the Maha Sangha in a separate court," the PM said.

'Some people express their ideas through the mass media and damage Buddhism in its purest form. Sri Lanka, as a nation has been protected for over 2,500 years because of the services of the Maha Sangha.

Although the Maha Sangha makes every effort to protect it risking their lives, it is the duty of all Buddhists to protect Buddhism from various forces, the PM said.

"As the Maha Sangha is dedicated to protecting Buddhism, Buddhism still exists in its pure form. Buddhism is rapidly spreading throughout the world.

Universities established in the name of Buddha rendered a great service to propagate pure Buddhism in various countries. Huge Buddha statues were erected in countries like Afghanistan because of the dedication of the Maha Sangha.

Members of the venerable Maha Sangha, including Prof Kotupitiye Rahula, Deputy Secretary of Kotte Sri Samagree Sangha Sabhawa, Ven Wendaruwe Upali, the Chief Incumbent of Asgiriya Gedige Temple, Ven Wendaruwe Wijitha, Chief Incumbent of Polgasowita Sri Sudharshanaramaya, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena and a large number of clerics and laymen were present on this occasion.