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By Nuwan Senarathna
Given the prevailing security situation, the Government has requested the public to have modest Vesak celebrations limited to Buddhist temples that focus on the spiritual aspects of the day but said practices such as displaying the Buddhist flag should be done around the country.
The decision was taken following a series of discussions with chief Buddhist monks and Buddha Sasana Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera.
Speaking to media, Perera said he had taken into consideration the joint statement issued by the Mahanayake Theros of the four chapters. “I will work according to the guidance of Mahanayake Theros given in the joint statement. Therefore we will request the public to focus more on spiritual religious programs at this moment,” he added.
He noted that, due to the prevailing security situation in the county, the Government had decided to limit official Vesak celebration to two days rather than the customary week. Accordingly, the official Vesak celebration will be held at Thotagamuwa Ranpath Rajamaha Viharaya on 17 May.
Perara noted the official celebrations will not consist of any mega events seen in previous years. “The original plan was to celebrate Vesak for five to six days as this year marks 2550 years of the arrival of Buddha to Siripada. But due to unavoidable circumstances, we have to confine it to a simple celebration.”
He said the Government had taken necessary measures to increase the level of security of all religious places and instructed security officials to provide additional security to Buddhist temples.
Referring to traditional Vesak celebrations such as Vesak pandols and dansal, Perera noted the Government would request the public to halt such activities due to security reasons. However, Perera noted celebrations could be held inside premises of temples.
“If anyone is organising a Vesak pandol inside a temple, I suggest them to inform that to the nearest police station and follow their guidelines. But organising a dansala for pilgrims who come to temple will not be an issue.”
Perera also said the Government would introduce a special insurance scheme for Buddhist monks for their well-being. According to Perera, monks those who study in pirivenas will not be covered under this new insurance scheme as they already covered by Suraksha insurance scheme.
He noted the new insurance scheme would be launched on 16 May. The insurance scheme will consist of Rs. 90 million and part of it is from the Government and rest was from a fund that is managed by the Ministry.
“After considering various reasons, I have decided to introduce this insurance scheme, as most of the monks who lived in rural areas face numerous challenges and some of them do not have accessibility to basic needs. Due to these challenges, every year around 1200 young monks leave temples.”
Meanwhile, Perera has requested all foreign Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka to provide their details to the Buddha Sasana Ministry due to security reasons.
Perera noted he had instructed State officials to keep track on all the foreign Buddhist monks in the country.
He said he had also instructed officials to conduct a special background check when foreign monks apply for a visa. “This is a decision taken due to the prevailing situation. We have seen Buddhist monks’ robes and alms bowls discovered, therefore we have to be cautious at this moment.”
According to Perera, more than 788 foreign monks are in Sri Lanka and out of that 192 were from Bangladesh.
