The proposed Sangha Convention that was scheduled for last Thursday had to be postponed by the Mahanayakes after a group of pro-government Buddhist monks threatened to bomb the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, the most venerated Buddhist shrine in the country.
Executive Committee Member of the Sangha Convention, the Chief Incumbent, Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, Ven. Walawahengunuwewe Dhammarathana Thero alleged that a group of 45 Buddhist monks had visited the Malwathu Viharaya on February 16 and urged the Malwatte Mahanayaka Thera to cancel the convention that was to be held on February 18.
The Mahanayakes called the Convention to discuss the establishment of democracy and good governance. The pro-government group warned that failing to cancel it would mean the Mahanayake Thera would have to take the responsibility if two or three bombs went off within the premises of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
“Chancellor of Kelaniya University, Ven. Dr. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thero, former Parliamentarian Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero, Ven. Diviyagaha Yasassi Thero and Ven. Rekhawa Jinarathana Thero were among the 45 monks who wanted the Mahanayake to cancel the Sangha Convention,” Dhammarathana Thero told The Sunday Leader.
The group of monks initially threatened the Mahanayake by saying that they would leave the sect if the convention was not cancelled.
“The Mahanayake said that it was nothing new, and that in the past monks have left the sect,” Dhammarathana Thera claimed.
“Realising that such threats will not get the Mahanayake to cancel the convention, this group telephoned the President, who personally spoke to the Mahanayake, urging him to cancel the convention, but the Mahanayake had been adamant about holding the convention,” Dhammarathana Thero said.
“The group had then asked whether the Mahanayake would like to see two or three bombs go off at the ‘Mahamaluwa’ and whether he would take the responsibility if the Temple of the Tooth is damaged,” Dhammarathana Thero claimed.
He said that such threats led to the postponing of the convention.
Dhammarathana Thero further said he has been summoned to appear today (February 21) at 9 a.m. to the Anuradhapura Police Crimes Division to explain his presence at a protest that turned unruly following the arrest of General Sarath Fonseka. The protest was held in the main town precincts of Anuradhapura and Ven Dhammarathana Thero has been accused of stoning the offices of the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero, when contacted by The Sunday Leader, said the group never used the word “bomb” or threatened the Mahanayakes with a possible attack. “We only warned the Malwatte Mahanayake Thero not to fall prey to politicians’ traps. And he understood this and postponed the Convention.”
Meanwhile, the Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter Most Ven. Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera, while not explicitly stating that such an incident occurred, did tell The Sunday Leader that the Mahanayakes were compelled to postpone the event to ensure the safety of the Maha Sangha and the Temple of the Tooth.
Read Full Article : Lankajournal.com
Executive Committee Member of the Sangha Convention, the Chief Incumbent, Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, Ven. Walawahengunuwewe Dhammarathana Thero alleged that a group of 45 Buddhist monks had visited the Malwathu Viharaya on February 16 and urged the Malwatte Mahanayaka Thera to cancel the convention that was to be held on February 18.
The Mahanayakes called the Convention to discuss the establishment of democracy and good governance. The pro-government group warned that failing to cancel it would mean the Mahanayake Thera would have to take the responsibility if two or three bombs went off within the premises of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
“Chancellor of Kelaniya University, Ven. Dr. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thero, former Parliamentarian Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero, Ven. Diviyagaha Yasassi Thero and Ven. Rekhawa Jinarathana Thero were among the 45 monks who wanted the Mahanayake to cancel the Sangha Convention,” Dhammarathana Thero told The Sunday Leader.
The group of monks initially threatened the Mahanayake by saying that they would leave the sect if the convention was not cancelled.
“The Mahanayake said that it was nothing new, and that in the past monks have left the sect,” Dhammarathana Thera claimed.
“Realising that such threats will not get the Mahanayake to cancel the convention, this group telephoned the President, who personally spoke to the Mahanayake, urging him to cancel the convention, but the Mahanayake had been adamant about holding the convention,” Dhammarathana Thero said.
“The group had then asked whether the Mahanayake would like to see two or three bombs go off at the ‘Mahamaluwa’ and whether he would take the responsibility if the Temple of the Tooth is damaged,” Dhammarathana Thero claimed.
He said that such threats led to the postponing of the convention.
Dhammarathana Thero further said he has been summoned to appear today (February 21) at 9 a.m. to the Anuradhapura Police Crimes Division to explain his presence at a protest that turned unruly following the arrest of General Sarath Fonseka. The protest was held in the main town precincts of Anuradhapura and Ven Dhammarathana Thero has been accused of stoning the offices of the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero, when contacted by The Sunday Leader, said the group never used the word “bomb” or threatened the Mahanayakes with a possible attack. “We only warned the Malwatte Mahanayake Thero not to fall prey to politicians’ traps. And he understood this and postponed the Convention.”
Meanwhile, the Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter Most Ven. Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera, while not explicitly stating that such an incident occurred, did tell The Sunday Leader that the Mahanayakes were compelled to postpone the event to ensure the safety of the Maha Sangha and the Temple of the Tooth.
Read Full Article : Lankajournal.com
