Only Nikayas can prevent Bhikkus from entering Parliament - Thera

Priyanka Kurugala

‘It is not acceptable to ban monks from entering Parliament unless it is decided by the various Buddhist Nikayas. One day such organizations will say that doing politics needs to be banned for monks. Nobody can influence against Buddhists monks, Buddhist Cultural Center Director Ven Kirama Wimalajothi Thera said.

A massive conference will be held in Wanduramba, Galle on June 24, the Thera said. It has been named Bodu Samuluwa.

Ven. Wimalajothi Thera was addressing the press organised by the Bodu Bala Sena Organization at the Buddhist Cultural Center in Colombo yesterday.

“Many Non Governmental Organizations and certain elements which have Buddhist faces are against Buddhism. At present, most have forgotten that around 95 percent Buddhist monks in the country supported the election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. It enabled to eradicate 30 years of terrorism,” the Thera said.

“If this situation continues,one day Buddhist monks might to go Geneva asking for their rights,” the Thera said.

Chief Secretary Ven Galagodaaththe Ganasara Thera said the Hela Uruymaya came forward to counter the various anti-Buddhist activities of many NGO’s. “Due to their entry into Parliament, Ven. Bhikkhus ,such as, Ven Ellawala Medhananda Thera was able to bring to light archaeological findings in the North and East. These are the heritage of Buddhists.Other individuals had attempted to pass a Bill against Buddhist monks entering Parliament, “the Thera said. “In 2003, the Indian government banned 404 NGOs which operated in their country due to unethical conversions. Now these organizations are activated in Sri Lanka. They had been registered here under Company Registration Act. They launched their activities to convert people from other religions. It has an impact on all religious practices in the country,” the Thera said.

“As Buddhist monks, we have a duty. We are the protectors of the nation from historical times, the Thera said.

Bodu Bala Sena National Organizer Ven Vitharandeniye Nanda Thera, Bodu Bala Sena Deputy Organizer Embilipitiye Vijitha thera and Ven Aluthwewa Ananda thera also participated in this event.