Concerns raised over men in robes continuing to harm Buddhism despite court convictions

By Shane Seneviratne  

Chairman of the National Movement for Social Justice Karu Jayasuriya yesterday emphasized that about 50 men in robes are currently in jail for many charges including insulting Buddhism and even though they have been found guilty by the court, it is a serious problem since they walk around the society wearing their robes and insulting the religion.   

Former speaker Jayasuriya made this comment after meeting with Mahanayakas of the Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters in Kandy.  

He also revealed that there are millions of rupees in the bank accounts of those wearing robes and insulting Buddhism in various ways.  

He further emphasized that if the ‘Sangha Kathika bill’, which was planned to be introduced during the previous good governance government, had been implemented as intended, those men in robes who are causing harm to the Sambuddha Sasana could have been expelled from the Sangha Sasana through this bill, he said.  

He stated that it is not currently feasible to do so under the existing laws, and even after being punished by the court, these individuals persist in their activities while wearing robes.Mr. Jayasuriya emphasized that there is a great interest in Buddhist philosophy all over the world and even many famous people are embracing Buddhism.  

He also emphasized that if the main Buddhist chapters are not interested in taking strict action against those men in robes by preparing drafts of bills; serious incidents are likely to happen in the future