By The Pulseline News Desk
The Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siam Nikaya has reportedly cautioned Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leaders against making sweeping political allegations without evidence during a meeting that covered the Government’s handling of Buddhist affairs, the status of the Buddhist clergy and alleged social media attacks on monks.
The Mahanayake Thera has made the observations when a delegation of senior SJB representatives, led by party General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, met him on Monday (12) to discuss a range of governance and religious issues.
During the meeting, opposition representatives have criticised the Government’s handling of matters concerning the Buddhist clergy and the Buddhist Sasana, while expressing concern over what they described as attempts to undermine Buddhist interests.
Former MP Lakshman Kiriella has argued that issues concerning the Buddhist robe and the clergy should be handled with due respect until the relevant legislation was enacted. He has suggested that the Executive President had the authority to make interim arrangements pending the introduction of legal reforms.
Responding to the discussion, the Mahanayake Thera has noted that the Government had indicated that legislation addressing the matter would be introduced within a short period.
Mahanayake challenges claims against Government
The discussion has also turned to the political standing of the Government, with SJB representatives claiming that its support base was weakening and alleging that efforts were being made to appeal to minority communities at the expense of Buddhist interests.
The delegation has further expressed concern over content circulating on social media, alleging that Buddhist monks had been targeted through criticism and defamatory campaigns.
The Mahanayake Thera has questioned whether mechanisms were available to identify those responsible and prevent the spread of such content.
Madduma Bandara has claimed that individuals linked to the Government were behind the alleged campaigns. However, the prelate has cautioned against attributing responsibility to a particular political party without evidence.
“We should not say that,” the Mahanayake Thera has reportedly remarked in response to sweeping allegations, stressing that such conduct should not be attributed to a particular group without sufficient grounds.
His response has underscored the need to distinguish between substantiated concerns and political accusations when discussing sensitive religious and social issues.
Calls for evidence on religious concerns
The delegation has also raised concerns about Government policies relating to religion, expressing fears that Buddhism could be undermined.
However, the Mahanayake Thera has urged caution, noting that some earlier claims about restrictions on Buddhist activities had not materialised. He has also pointed out that Government leaders continued to participate in Buddhist and other religious events.
When SJB representatives have made further claims linking certain contemporary political figures to past violent incidents, the prelate has questioned the basis for the allegations and emphasised the importance of evidence before reaching conclusions.
The meeting reflected continuing opposition concerns over the Government’s approach to Buddhist affairs, while the Mahanayake Thera’s responses highlighted the importance of restraint and factual accuracy in political discourse, particularly on issues involving religion and communal relations.
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