Venerable Professor Kotapitiye Rahula Thero, Anunayake of the Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, has highlighted the need to preserve the country’s social and religious harmony in the wake of recent political statements made in Jaffna and Mannar.
Speaking at the Maha Sangha Conference held at the Buddhist Maha Sammelana premises, Professor Kotapitiye Rahula Thero emphasized that claims of racism and religious conflict in the North are unfounded and have been amplified by extremist elements. He stressed that the presidency is a position of great responsibility that can either lead to salvation or destruction depending on how it is exercised.
The monk urged the President to retract statements suggesting that southern Sri Lankans go to Jaffna to spread hatred rather than practice Buddhism. He also called for the Prime Minister to withdraw her remarks made in Mannar, describing them as misleading and potentially harmful.
Professor Kotapitiye Rahula Thero further underscored the importance of protecting Buddhist culture, the Tripitaka, the Sinhala and Pali languages, and national customs, which he noted have a history spanning over 2,300 years. He warned that public statements by leaders carry significant weight, saying, “The things you say are revealed to the country through today’s media.”
Concluding his address, the monk acknowledged the contributions of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in ending the 30-year conflict in the North and stressed that historical sites, including the Tissa Vihara in Jaffna, should be respected and not misrepresented in public discourse.
This angle shifts the focus from a direct political criticism to the broader theme of preserving national and religious harmony in the face of divisive statements.
