Theravada exists in Lanka due to Maha Sangha - NCP Governor

Walter Dayaratne - Anuradhapura dist spl corr

'Sri Lanka is accepted as the golden casket in which the original Theravadi Buddhist philosophy is enshrined solely due to the unflinching efforts of the Maha Sangha who did everything possible to protect it from all evil elements who wanted to destroy it, North Central Province Governor Karunaratne Divulgane said.

The Governor made this observation at a ceremony held in connection with the foundation stone laying for the construction of a building to house the Meth Bo Sevana Dhamma Research and Social Development Centre at Anuradhapura Katukaliyawa Mahila Mawatha area.

The participants were administered with Pansil and a Dhamma Anusasana was made by Chief Prelate of Lankaramaya Ven Ralapanawe Dhammajothi Thera.

A Bo sapling was planted and flowers were offered by Governor Divulgane, Irrigation and Water Management Minister W B Ekanayake and Provincial Cooperative Minister H B Semasinghe.

Divulgane said, "We have the good fortune to participate in this meritorious act at a place from where we can see the great Abhayagiriya, Maha Viharaya and Mahamevuna Uyana when the country is celebrating 2600 years of Sambuddhatva Jayanthi. Afghanistan is the country where the biggest Buddha statute is located.

But there is no Buddha Sasana there, since not an orderly Sangha Sasana is found there. It is the presence of Maha Sangha which ensures the existence of Buddhism in a country, the Governor said.