Dhamma School opening in Jaffna, historic says Major Hathurusinghe

Priyanka KURUGALA

ry important to fulfill the spiritual needs of the Tamil Buddhist community in Jaffna, Jaffna Commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe said.

“This is a historic event in the country and we have to pay our gratitude to Tamil Buddhist Association president A Ravi Kumar, Jaffna Naga Vihara Chief Incumbent Ven Migahajandure Siri Wimala Thera and those who assisted in setting up the Dhamma School,” he said.

Hathurusinghe was addressing the inauguration of the first Dhamma School at the Jaffna Naga Vihara on Sunday.

He said he considered it extremely fortunate to hear Pansil being delivered in Tamil by a Sinhala Bhikku for the first time.

“It is very easy to identify many similarities between Buddhism and Hinduism. We have to identify the similarities between both religions rather than the differences,” Hathurusinghe said.

The Dhamma School programme is not something new in Jaffna. Earlier, the Most Ven Madihe Pannasiha Thera created a Buddhist awakening among the people in Jaffna , he said.

“This programme will be used to foster amity and brotherhood among all ethnic groups,” Hathurusinghe said.

The Army is ready to provide assistance to the Dhamma School programme, he said.

Jaffna Naga Vihara Chief incumbent Ven Migahajandure Siri Wimala Thera said it is important to deliver the message of humanity to the people affected by 30 years of war.

Jaffna Divisional Secretary Sundaram Arumainayakam said the Jaffna Naga Viharaya is the most suitable place to start a Dhamma School.

“Every child needs a religious education,” Arumainayakam said.

All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) vice president Col Sudath Madugalle said the ACBC has always been in the forefront to develop Dhamma education in the country.

“Dhamma education is the path to develop honour and respect towards each other in society. The ACBC will arrange an educational tour to Colombo for students of the Dhamma school in Jaffna,” he said.

DAN TV Managing Director Suppiah Kukanathan said many think Buddhism is a religion of the Sinhalese.

“This wrong idea needs to be corrected,” he said. The ceremony was held under the Chair of State Language Department Tamil language teaching advisor Ven Demataluwe Sumangala Thera. Ven Uduwana Rathanapala Thera conducted a meditation programme.

Major General Hathurusinghe and invitees registered students for the Jaffna Dhamma School.