Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe pledged to come up with a proposal for a new constitution that will ensure Buddhism on the island will be free to operate without any government oversight.
“I will come up with proposal to include a clause in the Constitution that the Government cannot get involved in deciding on the matters relating to the three Nikayas, followed by Sri Lankan Buddhists," said the prime minister at Anuradhapura this weekend.
Mr Wickremesinghe went on to attack the previous Sri Lankan government, headed by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, for breaking with Buddhist tradition on the island by allegedly threatening to create a new Buddhist chapter.
“They went on to the extent of constructing a Stupa taller than Ruwan Weliseya in Anuradhapura, which is not possible as per the traditions, norms and beliefs,” he added. “These rulers are bound by the tradition to tender an apology to the Mahanayake of Malwatte Chapter and to sweep the premises of Ruwan Weliseya and other sacred places of worship in repentance.”
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The prime minister’s comments come after he assured his parliament last week that any new constitution for the island will continue to grant Buddhism “first and foremost” place, pledging that amendments would not be implemented.
