UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe alleged today that ‘certain members of the Buddhist clergy’ had threatened to take over 500 temples in the Southern Province, if the Maha Sangha Sabha Buddhist convention was held as planned.
Speaking at a press briefing held in Colombo, the United National Party leader alleged that the Maha Sangha Sabha which was due to be held on the 18th of this month by the Mahanayakas of the four chapters, in order to adopt a resolution to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the country, was later postponed indefinitely citing security reasons.
Wickremasinghe said that ‘certain members of the Buddhist clergy’ had threatened to take over 500 temples in the Southern Province belonging to the Malwatte chapter and bring them under the purview of Rohana Nikaya, which is not a recognized sect in Sri Lanka.
He alleged that this had been done with the encouragement of the government and added that according to Article 9 of the Constitution, Buddhism is given the foremost place and should be protected and fostered by the state. (KB)