The Chief Prelates of Sri Lanka’s three main Buddhist chapters have raised strong objections to proposed amendments to the Penal Code and government initiatives aimed at promoting LGBTQ-related tourism, warning that such moves could undermine cultural values and trigger serious social crises.
Their concerns were expressed in a joint letter addressed to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, signed by the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangalabidhana Mahanayake Thero of the Malwatta Chapter of the Siam Nikaya, Most Venerable Warakagoda Dhammasiddhi Sri Pagghananda Gnanarathanabidhana Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siam Nikaya, Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithree Moorthi Mahanayake Thero of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya, and Most Venerable Makulewe Wimala Mahanayake Thero of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya.
The Prelates stressed that disregarding the nation’s cultural identity, historical heritage, and traditional customs in favor of arbitrary decisions or imitations of foreign practices could lead to social anarchy and the breakdown of social order.
They particularly objected to the proposed amendment to Section 82 of the Penal Code, which seeks to criminalize corporal punishment, and to initiatives by the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) to promote LGBTQ-focused tourism. These measures, they warned, would disrupt societal values and risk sparking multiple social problems.
Urging the President to intervene, the Chief Prelates reminded that he has often highlighted the importance of Buddhist philosophical principles in sustainable social development. They called on him to take immediate steps to prevent what they described as “unethical actions” that could erode Sri Lanka’s cultural and moral foundations.
