The upcoming election for the Basnayake Nilame of the historic Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya has turned into a political battlefield, with reports of ruling party influence, backroom deals, and the NPP pushing to secure control ahead of the Esala Perahera.
The election to appoint a new Basnayake Nilame for the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya is scheduled to take place at the Ratnapura District Secretariat on the 20th at 10.30 am. However, concerns have already arisen that the contest may be decided without a real vote, as some candidates have struggled to secure proposers and seconders to validate their nominations. If only one name is endorsed, the new Basnayake Nilame could be appointed unopposed.
The powerful religious position has been vacant since January 1, when the term of the previous Basnayake Nilame, Migara Jayasundara, ended on December 31 last year. Until now, the administration has been under the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs, who has already overseen 80% of the organizational work for the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya Esala Maha Perahera, set to take place on the 24th. With the Perahera looming, the urgency to appoint a new Basnayake Nilame has intensified.
Eligible to cast votes in this election are the permanent and acting male Divisional Secretaries of 18 divisions within the Ratnapura District, along with the Basnayake Nilames of the Boltumbe Saman Devalaya, Uggal Aluth Nuwara Devalaya, Ammaduwa Kuda Kataragama Devalaya, and the Caretaker Basnayake Nilame of the Saman Devalaya. Out of 22 Divisional Secretaries, only nine are male, and with the addition of two newly appointed Caretaker Basnayake Nilames, the total number of valid votes stands at 12.
Although more than 20 applications have reportedly been received for the post, the final decision depends on whether these names can be officially confirmed by the voters during the election. Yet, reports suggest that Divisional Secretaries may be under significant government pressure, limiting their ability to support candidates of their choice.
In recent days, meetings have been held between voting Divisional Secretaries, senior officials, a government minister, and a district MP, where explicit requests were made to support a candidate backed by the ruling party. It has been further reported that personal visits were made by these political figures to lobby support directly.
Another high-level meeting is expected on the eve of the election, chaired by a powerful government minister, aimed at consolidating votes for the government-backed candidate. This candidate, said to be a close ally of the minister, is believed to have secured the endorsement of the Basnayake Nilames of Uggal Aluth Nuwara and Ammaduwa Kuda Kataragama Devalayas.
If this influence holds, the government’s preferred candidate is expected to be appointed as the new Basnayake Nilame, sparking allegations that the process has been politicized and overshadowed by the ruling party’s maneuvering. Critics argue that this undermines the independence of one of the country’s most revered religious institutions, reducing the election to a mere extension of political power struggles.
As the clock ticks down to the 20th, the contest has become more than just a religious appointment. It has evolved into a test of political strength, religious influence, and the growing role of the NPP in challenging entrenched power.
