No One Has the Right to Insult Religious Leaders, Says Opposition Leader Sajith

24-Feb-2026

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has stated that no individual has the right to insult Buddhism or leaders of any religion.

He made the remarks on February 21 while attending the foundation-laying ceremony for a “Sanghawasa” building at the Sri Vishuddharama Vihara in Tissamaharama.

Premadasa stressed that ordinary citizens cannot control or dictate to members of the Maha Sangha and warned that threatening or undermining the Buddha Sasana would amount to a violation of the Constitution.

He emphasized that the Constitution grants Buddhism a special place while also guaranteeing religious and cultural rights to other faiths. He condemned attempts to exploit religion, ethnicity, caste, or class for political gain.

Premadasa also expressed concern over increasing drug use among schoolchildren and called for strengthened moral education. 

He advocated integrating modern technology and IT education into religious institutions and urged that protection of the Buddha Sasana must go beyond rhetoric into practical action.