Monks demonstrate demanding consultation with Maha Sangha

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 March 2003, 04:31 GMT]
"Constitutional reform of any form should be carried out in consultation with the Maha Sangha and should satisfy the aspirations of the Sinhala nation. The Sanga Sammelanaya will institute a National Constitutional Reform Commission to fulfill this task," said spokesperson for the Buddhist Monks who held a religious demonstration in Colombo Saturday afternoon.

The demonstration under the banner "One Country with Buddhist State," was organized by the Jathika Snagha Sammelanaya (JSS). Leaders of the Sinhala nationalist party, Sinhala Urumaya, also took part in the protest march.

The demonstration began opposite to Buddha's statue at the Vihara Maha Devi Park and marched to the Open Air Theatre where a meeting was held.

Leading Buddhist Monks Ellawala Medananda Thero, Omalpay Sohitha Thero, Athuriliye Rathana Thero, Darangame Kusaladamma Thero, Kotapola Amerakerthi Thero and Nagoda Amarawansa Thero addressed the meeting.

The following Sangha Decree was read at the conclusion of the meeting:

"Sri Lanka, that is a Sinhala deshaya (Sinhala people's country), is the historical homeland of the Sinhala Buddhists. Within the nation state of Sinhaladeshaya only the Sinhala people have rights associated with nationality. Other linguistic communities may exercise their rights as envisaged by the international conventions.

Sinhaladeshaya is an indivisible unitary state where there shall not be any division on ethnic linguistic or religious grounds. Also the following statutes will apply to Sinhaladeshaya:

• Anuradhapura will be the national capital
• National day is the Full moon day of the month of Poson (June)
• The father of the nation is king Dutugemunu
• The mother of the nation is queen Vihara Maha Devi."

The monks also demanded that the Government immediately present legislation to prevent unethical and illegal conversion of Buddhists by Christian and Islamic fundamentalists. The government should also take legal and diplomatic action to prevent financial and moral support provided by foreign countries and their agents to proselytising organizations, protesting monks said.