Discipline, vital for country's progress - Ven. Prof Bellanwila Thera

Priyanka KURUGALA

Even though "Let us be Principled" was the theme of the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi year, an increase in crime and unlawful acts has been recorded in the country from 2011-2012 , Sri Jayawardhanapura University Chancellor Ven. Prof Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera said.

The Thera was addressing the Sambuddhthwa Jayanthi year conclusion ceremony held at the Temple Trees under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 3.

"While providing infrastructure facilities throughout the countrywide, we must make every endeavour to protect ethics. Therefore all parties should take measures to strengthen morals in society," the thera said.

According to a Police report 1,473 cases of hurt caused by weapons were reported throughout the country between 2010 and 2011.This number increased to 1,793 between the 2011 to 2012, the Thera explained.

"There were 2,816 cases of stabbing reported between the years 2010 and 2011and this number increased up to 2,951 between the 2011 to 2012. According to the above report 687 people were killed during the year 2010 to 2011 while 711 killings were reported between 2011-2012.

"Cases of money fraud (cheating for Rs 100,000) had increased from 4,852 to 7,096 during these years.

Offences regarding narcotics rose from1,000 to1,109 during this year," the Thera said.

"According to Ananda Coomaraswami's article "Gospel of Buddhism", around 20,000 in the country used to gather for the Poson ceremony in Anuradhapura around 150 years ago and there was not a single policeman to control them. Even though we were under foreign rule, we were a disciplined nation. Even the foreigners who had come to teach us ethics also realised that we were a disciplined peopled. Society must be built in keeping with the teachings of the Buddha," the thera said.

"Ven Kirama Wimalajothi Thera contributed a great deal for the success of the 2,600th Sambuddhthwa Jayanthi year. The Thera was instrumental in helping build a beautiful building to commemorate the 2,600th Sambuddhthwa Jayanthi while many programmes were launched at temples countrywide to mark the 2600th Sambuddhthwa Jayanthi year," the thera said.