President only leader capable of developing the country - the Mahasangha

The government's initiatives led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in developing the country by creating a society where all religious and ethnic groups are respected by enhancing the religious and ethnic harmony of the country are commendable.

We bestow our best wishes and invoke our blessings to make these directives a success, the Mahasangha said, when they met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday.

The Mahasangha stated this when Chief Mahanayaka Theras of all main Nikayas, Anunayaka Theras and Lekakadhikari Nayaka Theras met President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The President had summoned the meeting to obtain instructions of the Mahasangha for the government's attempts at building national, religious and social coexistence in the country.

The Mahasangha emphasized that the credit of ending the 30 year war should go to President Rajapaksa and he was the only leader who is capable of steering the country towards the development. The effort in building a country where social, religious and national harmony are flourishing is commendable and explained that the President was born for the merit of the people of this country.

"Rajapaksa was not only the President of the Sinhalese but he is the President of all communities of this country", they said.

The President said the government is always duty bound to safeguard and foster Buddhism while ensuring all communities their religious freedom by enhancing inter religious harmony and tolerance. The Mahasangha put forward suggestions to be practiced in the future for the protection of Buddhism.

They pointed out the significance of the President's decision in holding a discussion in this manner with the members of the Mahasangha representing all nikayas and said this was the first time a discussion with all chief Mahanayakas of main nikayas was held.

Anunayaka of the Siyam Nikaya Most Ven Niyangoda Wijithasiri Thera, Anunayaka of the Asgiri Chapter Most Ven. Galagama Dhammasiddhi Thera, Mahanayaka of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya Most Ven. Dauldena Gnanissara Nayaka Thera, Mahanayaka of the Sri Lanka Ramangna Maha Nikaya Most Ven. Napana Premasiri Nayaka Thera had attended at the meeting. Prime Minister D.M. Jayarathana, Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Bandula Gunawardena, Deputy Minister M.K.D.S. Gunawardena, and Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunga were also present.