The Saman Devalaya Protection Organization has expressed deep dissatisfaction over the recent appointment of a caretaker for the Sabaragamuwa Saman Devalaya in Ratnapura. Despite appeals from local residents to appoint an independent individual from the area, the position has been filled by a person affiliated with a political party linked to the government.
At the Ratnapura District Coordination Committee meeting held on December 23, the chairman had assured attendees that a local, honest, and independent individual recommended by the villagers would be selected to serve as caretaker for the interim period until a new Basnayake Nilame is elected. This assurance had raised hopes among locals who submitted proposals for a suitable candidate.
However, the Devalaya Protection Organization alleges that these community recommendations were ignored, and the appointment was made unilaterally by a Ratnapura political authority closely aligned with the government.
This decision has sparked significant discontent among the residents, the temple’s board of directors, and those closely associated with the Saman Devalaya. Many view the move as an arbitrary political maneuver that undermines the temple’s autonomy and the trust of the local community.
Calls for transparency and a reconsideration of the appointment have grown louder as frustrations mount over what is perceived as a disregard for the people’s voice in the administration of one of the region’s most revered religious institutions.
