President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the government is taking steps to amend the Buddhist Temporalities and Devalagams Act No. 19 of 1931, following a request made by the Mahanayake Theros.
The President stated that the move is aimed at re-establishing a “Dharma Court” with the authority to make decisions regarding disciplinary matters involving members of the Maha Sangha.
The State Vesak Festival commenced this afternoon (27) at the historic Midellawa Temple in Thihagoda, Matara, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Addressing the gathering, the President said that a final agreement had been reached during discussions held between representatives of the Tri-Nikaya Mahanayake Theros, the Attorney General’s Department and the government regarding the establishment of the Dharma Court.
Accordingly, he stated that the necessary legal provisions to ensure the disciplined administration of the Sangha would be introduced in the near future.
The President further explained that the late Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero had previously expressed concerns about the decline of discipline within the Sangha and had urged amendments to Sections 41 and 42 of the Buddhist Temporalities and Devalagams Act No. 19 of 1931 in order to restore disciplinary powers to the Dharma Court.
He added that the Tri-Nikaya Mahanayake Theros had also formally requested amendments to the relevant sections of the Act.
President Dissanayake said the relevant minister had submitted a Cabinet paper seeking approval to amend Sections 41 and 42 of the Act, and that the Cabinet had granted approval accordingly.
He noted that, as with any amendment to an Act or the Constitution, the proposed amendments were referred to the Attorney General’s Department to determine whether they were consistent with the Constitution and the country’s fundamental laws.
The President further stated that the Attorney General’s Department had proposed several amendments, following which representatives from the Asgiri and Malwatta Chapters of the Siam Nikaya, the Ramanna Maha Nikaya, secretaries of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya and the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs were invited for discussions with the Attorney General.
According to the President, the discussions were successful and concluded amicably, enabling all parties to reach a final agreement.
“We are now in the final stage. Very soon, we will introduce the necessary legal framework to maintain discipline within the Sangha and to strengthen the Vinayadhara system,” the President said.
