A Buddhist monk and parliamentarian vowed that the island’s Buddhist clergy would not allow the international community to harm Sri Lanka, reports The Island.
Addressing a news conference organised by the National Sangha Council, Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) MP Athuraliye Ratana called on Sri Lanka’s chief Buddhist monks to unite and beat back a proposed bill relating to the Buddhist clergy.
He called on the Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas on the island to unite against the bill, stating “we are at a loss to understand why the government embarked on bringing in a Bill of this nature”.
The MP went on to add that the Maha Sangha in Sri Lanka would not allow the international community or anyone else to harm the country.
Elle Gunawansa, a leader of the Patriotic National Movement, also told the press conference,
"I strongly feel there is a hidden hand behind this move and the motive is to interfere with the internal affairs of our country after suppressing the Bhikkus and the identities of those behind the move would be revealed before long."
Earlier this week Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena met with Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), assuring them that he has “directed the Prime Minister, Buddhasasana Minister and other relevant authorities to submit this bill to the Maha Sangha and table in Parliament again with necessary amendments".
See our earlier posts:
Sri Lankan president meets with BBS to discuss ‘threats from Tamil separatists’ (19 Jan 2016)
New act supports different Buddhist sect claims opposition MP (18 Jan 2016)
JVP led monks threaten street protests if bill against Buddhist clergy passed in Sri Lanka (16 Jan 2016)
Buddhist monks will not answer to 'white man' legal system says BBS Gen-Sec (16 Jan 2015)