Dharma Court reforms move forward as President Anura plans amendments to the Buddhist Temporalities and Devalagams Act.
Dharma Court reforms are set to move forward as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the government will amend the Buddhist Temporalities and Devalagams Act No. 19 of 1931.
The President said the proposed amendment follows a request made by the Mahanayake Theros.
He stated that the move is aimed at re-establishing a Dharma Court with authority to make decisions on disciplinary matters involving members of the Maha Sangha.
The State Vesak Festival commenced this afternoon (27) at the historic Midellawa Temple in Thihagoda, Matara, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Addressing the gathering, the President said a final agreement had been reached during discussions held among representatives of the Tri-Nikaya Mahanayake Theros, the Attorney General’s Department, and the government regarding the establishment of the Dharma Court.
Accordingly, he said the necessary legal provisions to ensure disciplined administration within the Sangha would be introduced in the near future.
The President further explained that the late Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero had previously raised concerns over the decline of discipline within the Sangha.
He said the Thero had urged amendments to Sections 41 and 42 of the Buddhist Temporalities and Devalagams Act No. 19 of 1931 to restore disciplinary powers to the Dharma Court.
President Dissanayake added that the Tri-Nikaya Mahanayake Theros had also formally requested amendments to the relevant sections of the Act.
He said the relevant minister had submitted a Cabinet paper seeking approval to amend Sections 41 and 42 of the Act.
The Cabinet had granted approval accordingly.
The President noted that, as with any amendment to an Act or the Constitution, the proposed changes were referred to the Attorney General’s Department.
That referral was made to determine whether the amendments were consistent with the Constitution and the country’s fundamental laws.
The President further stated that the Attorney General’s Department had proposed several amendments.
Following that, representatives from the Asgiri and Malwatta Chapters of the Siam Nikaya, the Ramanna Maha Nikaya, secretaries of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya, and the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs were invited for discussions with the Attorney General.
According to the President, those discussions were successful and concluded amicably.
He said all parties were able to reach a final agreement.
“We are now in the final stage. Very soon, we will introduce the necessary legal framework to maintain discipline within the Sangha and to strengthen the Vinayadhara system,” the President said.
