President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has raised concerns over the state of law and order, questioning how citizens can be expected to uphold the law when the head of the institution responsible for maintaining it fails to act accordingly.
The President made these remarks while addressing the national ceremony to confer the title of Mahanayake of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya upon the Most Venerable Karagodala Uyangoda Maithri Murthi Thero.
During the event, President Dissanayake formally presented the Sri Sannas Patra to the newly appointed Mahanayake Thero, while the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, presented the Vijini Patra.
Born on October 1, 1948, in Kamburupitiya, Matara, Venerable Karagodala Uyangoda Maithrimurthi Thero was ordained in 1962 by the Most Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maithri Thero. He has been honored with the Mahanayake title in recognition of his religious, social, and educational contributions spanning over six decades.
In his speech, President Dissanayake stressed that the Maha Sangha and religious institutions have an immense responsibility in restoring the nation’s moral and ethical values. He noted that regardless of economic or political advancements, they would be meaningless without a well-grounded moral society.
The President acknowledged that legal frameworks alone cannot repair the country’s fractured social fabric and emphasized the need for a compassionate and ethical society. He urged for a strong national discourse centered on the liberation teachings of the Buddha and other religious leaders to foster citizen well-being.
He also announced ongoing discussions with Mahanayake Theros regarding the Buddhist Discourse Act and stated that amendments to Sections 41 and 42 of the Vihara Devalagam Act have been drafted. These amendments, once approved by the Cabinet and passed in Parliament, will transfer authority to the Sangha Sabha, led by the Mahanayake Thero, to formalize and regulate the Sangha Corporation.
As part of the ceremony, the President received commemorative books, including a biography of the newly appointed Mahanayake Thero.
The event was attended by high-ranking clergy from the Trinitarian Maha Sangha, former Presidents and Prime Ministers, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, government ministers, foreign ambassadors, High Commissioners, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, government officials, temple donors, and a large gathering of devotees.
