PM to appoint a committee to address problems of young Buddhist monks

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has revealed that a Committee will be appointed to address the issues of young Buddhist monks.

The Prime Minister has said that the Government had no legal capability of exerting pressure in the drafting of a Bill such as the Bikkhu  Kathikawatha.

The Prime Minister made these remarks when he met 100 young Buddhist monks with the intention of soliciting the contribution of the Government for the welfare of the Sasana and society.

This gathering was organised to discuss ten issues after studying the problems which had so far not surfaced in the Sangha fraternity, according to state media.

Discussions with the Prime Minister dealt on a number of matters including Pirivena and higher education of the Bikkhus and Bikkhunis, leaving abroad, relations between the local and foreign Buddhist Temples, development of Dhamma Schools, granting of teacher appointments, provision of cash grants for remote temples and the conservation of archaeological locations.

The Prime Minister mentioned that the Government had no legal capacity to exert pressure in bringing forward Bills such as the Bikkhu Kathikawath and the Government had no legal rights to mediate in these affairs.

Whether it was the Buddha Sasana, the Catholic , Christian, Hindu, or the Muslim clergy, Parliament cannot interfere in their religious activities, he pointed out.

The Prime Minister said that what they had to do is to tell the Chief Prelates to adopt a Steering Committee. If they disagreed it would not be done.  Also, the Prime Minister said that if a ‘Sanghadikarana’ is needed it could be discussed with the Steering Committee.

Panaamure Chandrananda Thera who joined in this discussion said that they were working with the aim of securing the views and proposals of the Chief Prelates on their requests.

Chairman of the National Youth Services Council Attorney Erande Weliange pointed out that the Prime Minister has given an assurance to appoint a Committee in future to look into these requests.

A number of Buddhist monks and Bikkhunis also met Minister Sagala Ratnayake in discussion. Their gathering was organised by the National Youth Services Council.