Complaint Lodged Against Minister of Buddha Sasana

04-Nov-2026

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Members of the Sinhala Deepa National Front have lodged an official complaint against the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, alleging that the incumbent Minister is not a follower of Buddhism and subscribes to secular principles.

They visited the Ministry of Buddha Sasana in person and handed over a petition containing their allegations.

Speaking to the media thereafter, Sinhala Deepa National Front General Secretary Jayantha Liyanage said:

Since Sri Lanka gained independence, many Governments, Prime Ministers and Presidents have held office. However, none of them had insulted Buddhism or the robes worn by Buddhist monks.

However, although two years have passed since the present Government assumed office, members of the ruling party themselves have continued to insult Buddhism, the Buddha Sasana and the robes worn by Buddhist monks. When the Maha Sangha organised pilgrimages, satyagraha campaigns and protests across the country in response to such incidents, the Minister, in his capacity as the Minister of Buddha Sasana, neither intervened nor came forward to meet and hold discussions with the monks.

Although the Minister had pledged to protect the Buddha Sasana in accordance with Article 9 of the Constitution, he had failed to discharge his responsibilities, while continuing to enjoy the privileges and salaries provided by the Government.

There has been widespread discussion on social media alleging that the Minister is a secular individual who does not follow Buddhism. Neither the Minister nor the Government has so far denied these allegations.

Having remained silent on these matters for the past two years, the Minister is now suddenly visiting Buddhist monks and offering explanations in an attempt to portray himself as a devout Buddhist. If that is indeed the case, he should invite the chief incumbent monk of the temple in his native village and publicly establish that he is a Buddhist, he challenged.

He further insisted that the Minister, having failed in his responsibility to protect the Buddha Sasana, should resign immediately and with dignity. The President could appoint him to another ministry dealing with secular affairs.

He also urged the President to appoint a genuine Buddhist who has received the blessings of the Mahanayake Theras as the Minister of Buddha Sasana. Otherwise, steps should be taken to appoint the incumbent Deputy Minister, Gamagedara Dissanayake, to the portfolio, he said.