Attacks on monks isolated incidents - Kantha

The High Commissioner for India Ashok Kantha held meetings with senior members of the Maha Sangha to address their concerns about the two recent incidents involving assaults on Sri Lankan Buddhist monks in Tamil Nadu.

He underlined that these were isolated incidents and did not detract from the strong people-to-people bonds that have been an integral part of the close historical, cultural and civilisational ties between the two countries.

The High Commissioner recalled the statement of the Indian External Affairs Ministry official spokesperson on March 19 expressing concern, and reiterating that the state government of Tamil Nadu had taken immediate action to identify and prosecute the miscreants responsible for these incidents.

The Indian government, in consultation with state governments, has taken and will continue to take all possible measures to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Sri Lankan visitors to India, including to Tamil Nadu. The meeting at India House on March 23 was attended by Ven Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, Ven Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thera, Ven Kirima Wimalajoti Nayaka Thera, Ven Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera, Ven Thiniyawala Palitha Thera, Ven H Kondangna Thera, Ven Galagoda Attha Gnanasara Thera and Mahabodhi Society Secretary Vasantha de Silva.

Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka Chief Incumbent Ven Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thera briefed the gathering and expressed appreciation towards the extensive arrangements made by the Tamil Nadu police in recent days, to provide security for Sri Lankan pilgrims.

The prelates underlined the need for a closer dialogue between civil society and religious leaders on the two sides, to avoid such incidents. A proposal to initiate such a dialogue would be pursued in the coming days and months.

During another meeting on March 20, attended by Ven Prof Bellanwilla Wimalaratna Anunayake Thera, Ven Dr Itapana Damalankara Anunayake Thera, Ven Dr Brahmanawathe Sivalee Thera, Ven Dr Akuretiye Nanda Thera, Ven Dr Nagoda Amarawansa Thera and Ven Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera, a useful exchange of views on the need to enhance security for Sri Lankan pilgrims and to maintain the centuries-old cultural and civilisational links was held.

It was agreed that the High Commission would hold consultations with the Buddhasasana Affairs Ministry on any additional measures required in this regard. The Deputy High Commissioner had met Buddhasana Affairs Secretary M K B Dissanayake on March 21 to follow up on this suggestion.

The High Commissioner noted that the cultural interaction between India and Sri Lanka had been intense, resulting in constant cross-fertilisation in the spheres of art, literature, culture and philosophy. The journey of the Holy Tree from India to Sri Lanka and back, nurtured by the soil of both lands and sustained through the hands of Indians and Sri Lankans, symbolised this exchange of ethos.

The successful organisation of an exposition of Sacred Kapilavastu Relics in Sri Lanka last year after a gap of 34 years, the visit of President Rajapaksa to India in September 2012 to inaugurate the University of Buddhist and India Studies at Sanchi and a series of events organised by the two countries to jointly commemorate the 2600th anniversary of the Attainment of Enlightenment by the Buddha (Sambuddhatva Jayanthi), stood testimony to this fact.