Malwatta Chief Prelate says no govt. supported establishing Sangha Code

The Chief Prelate of the Malwaththa Chapter, Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera, has stated that he has been making continuous efforts since 2006 to introduce a formal 'Sangha Kathikawatha' (monastic code of conduct), but no government has extended support, making the initiative unsuccessful.

He noted that although several governments have been in power since 2006, none provided assistance to implement the proposal.

As a result, the idea was eventually abandoned. He added that he later called for amendments to the Vihara Devalagama Ordinance to address the ongoing decline in the Buddhist dispensation.

The remarks were made when Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Kandy District MP Chamindrani Kiriella visited the Malwaththa Maha Viharaya on Saturday (08) to brief the Mahanayake Thera regarding a proposed Sangha convention to be held by her party.

The Thera said that although several rounds of discussions were previously held at the Malwaththa Chapter with the participation of leading monks to draft a monastic code, those efforts did not succeed, and the consequences of that failure are now evident.

MP Kiriella said that based on proposals received from the Maha Sangha to the Opposition, the party led by Sajith Premadasa has decided to hold a Sangha convention.

She added that the Opposition leader would visit the Mahanayake Theras on a future date to provide further details and agree on a suitable date for the event.

She also said that since the arrival of Arahat Mahinda, Sri Lanka’s culture has been closely linked with Buddhism, but there are now signs of a coordinated effort to create difficulties for the Maha Sangha. In light of this, the party has decided to convene a major Sangha conference.

She further noted that Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa would discuss with the Mahanayake Theras and determine an appropriate date for the proposed convention.