An appeal to the Maha Nayake’s to stand firm against extremist monks

by R. Jayadevan

(September 07, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The news that Maha Nayake (Chief Incumbent) of Asgiriya Chapter Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakitha Thero is staking firm on a principal issue of Buddhist monks respecting the judiciary is a welcome news and set to guide the extremist monks to respect the laws of the land in the island nation of Sri Lanka. The Maha Nayake has very appropriately said: ‘both monks and lay persons must respect the judiciary and its hallowed traditions to ensure discipline in the country’. He had further emphasized ‘traditions such as getting up when Judges enter a court house or standing up in Parliament when the Mace is brought in, must be observed by all persons including Buddhist monks’.

Maha Nayake’s comments are expected go a long way to establish discipline amongst extreme and violent Buddhist monks in the country.


This week saw another bizarre incident involving a bigoted Buddhist monk and some goons when they went on a spree and attacked a Hindu temple in Colombo and desecrated the idols worshiped by the minority Hindu Tamils.

(Image: Desecrated idols by the Buddhist monk)


The Chief Incumbent of Grandpass (Colombo) Buddhagaya Viharaya, Sri Sapugasyaye Dhammanada Thero- and a group of thugs had come to the Hindu temple at 2.00am and caused mayhem there. The violent monk and his associates had entered into the temple through the roof and smashed the newly built Amman statue, Vishnu statue, Ramar statue and Sivan statue.

Hinduism is practiced by the Tamils and Buddhism wholly followed by the Sinhalese is ancient religions which have a lot in common. They are like mother and daughter. Hinduism existed in India from which came the offshoots, the three major religions of the world, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Buddhism one could say “sprouted out of Hinduism”. In Sri Lanka Buddhist worship the Hindu deities Paththini, Vishnu etc in their homes and in Buddhist viharas. The very same deities were desecrated by the extremist Buddhist monk in the latest incident to reflect his anger towards the Tamils.


Image: Amman idol (Paththini devio of the Buddhist) damaged by the monk.

It is time the venerable institutions like Maha Sanga and Asgiria Chapter take a firm stand and publicly disown such violence from its clergy. The act of the violent monk has given destabilising effect to the country and minority Tamils. It is sad to note that neither the ruling government nor the law enforcing police are taking meaningful steps or have the courage to deal with the culprits.
- Sri Lanka Guardian