'Mahasangha should be well-informed of plots to rouse communal
tensions'
Suraj A Bandara and Asela Kuruluwansa
The Mahasangha should be more concerned and well-informed about a
situation being plotted to rouse communal tensions and create a crisis
situation among religions and sects of the same religion to breach the
religious harmony in the country. It is evident that certain NGOs are
drafting agendas to dislodge the place given to Buddhism in the
constitution. But the government will never allow these forces to
achieve their sinister targets, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
President Rajapaksa was addressing the state festival to mark the
260th anniversary of the establishment of the Siyam Mahanikaya
Upasampada ceremony at the historical Mahamaluwa of the Sri Dalada
Maligawa in Kandy yesterday.
The state festival was held under the leadership of Malawathu Nikaya
Mahanayaka Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Shri Sumangala Nayaka Thera. The
Mahasangha,devotees and distinguished guests were also present.
The President further explaining the value of Buddhist teachings said
Buddhism has never allowed Buddhists to be extremists. The Buddhist
kings and Mahasangha have endowed lands to people following religions
other than Buddhism to build their places of religious worship in the
past.
All religious groups including Hindus, Islamists and Catholics have
lived peacefully with the Buddhists throughout the country's history.
This prolonged religious tolerance in the country has been exposed to a
great danger as certain NGOs are attempting to break up this religious
coexistence in the country, the President warned. The government has
been the protector of Buddhism as per the provisions of the
constitution. It should foster and nourish Buddhism and should give
foremost place to Buddhism, he said.
The ulterior motive of these conspirators is to create a conflict
among religions and create divisions among the religious sects as in
certain other countries where there are conflicts taking place on the
basis of their religions and sects, he noted.
Prime Minister D. M. Jayarathna, Central Province Governor Tikiri
Kobbekaduwa, and Diyawadane Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela were also
present.
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