• Says acts of some men in robes who pretend to be monks have made people lose their respect for monks  

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

 The reference made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on certain monks as ‘Sivuru Dagaththa Batto’ (saffron-clad battas) became a point of a cross talk in Parliament yesterday, with Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa seeing it as an insult to all members of the Buddhist clergy while Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga insisting that President did not refer to all monks.   

“Those who call monks as Battas in saffron robes have hurt all monks. Those who refer to monks as Battas should read the Suthras preached by The Buddha. The Buddha preached that monks should follow the ruler but should not approve everything he does,” Mr. Premadasa said.   

Mr. Ranatunga said acts of some men in robes who pretend to be monks have made people lose their respect they have for monks. “There are some men who put on saffron robes during the day and participate in Aragala protests. However they put on the clothes of laymen and party with the aragala people during night. This is why people have lost their respect for monks. My house was recently burnt by a group who was led by a man in robes,” the Chief Government Whip said.   

“We also don’t condone anyone who insults any religious leader,” he added.