• Buddhist Affairs CG defends consulting Min. and Secy. in appointing acting Basnayake Nilame; election for permanent appointee in Feb.  

Following the withdrawal of the Ratnapura Maha Saman Devalaya staff from associated rituals and duties over claims that the Acting Basnayake Nilame (Chief Custodian) of the Devalaya has been appointed on political affiliations, the Commissioner General (CG) of Buddhist Affairs R.M.P. Ratnayake refuted the allegations, and said that seeking guidance from the subject Minister or Ministry Secretary does not constitute political interference.

Staff members of the said Devalaya had withdrawn from rituals and other administrative duties of the premises in protest of the appointment of an acting Basnayake Nilame allegedly in violation of the relevant legal provisions and traditions, and on political interests.

During a special media briefing attended by Ratnayake to explain the situation yesterday (6), the media queried regarding the allegations that the relevant appointment had been made on political affiliations, to which Ratnayake claimed that there had been no 'political interference' in making the appointment. "The subject minister is the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs. When I am executing my duties, I can consult the subject minister. That is not politics. Even if the relevant Act (law) does not mention it, I can consult the ministry secretary. I do it. We can’t run an institution without doing so." He also said that consulting the subject minister and the ministry secretary does not constitute political interference. "If I consulted another politician or the President or the Prime Minister, that would constitute political interference. When it comes to the minister, I can discuss anything with them."

Speaking further, Ratnayake said that the recent appointment had been made on an acting basis, and that all arrangements had already been made to elect a permanent Basnayake Nilame on 11 February. "I appointed this acting Basnayake Nilame on 1 January as the former Basnayake Nilame's service extension ended on 31 December 2024. We also advertised in newspapers that the election to elect a new Basnayake Nilame will be held at the Saman Devalaya premises on 11 February. At that election, the relevant parties can elect the person whom they think fit."

With the expiration of the service extension of former Basnayake Nilame Migara Jayasundara, S.V. Chandrasinghe was appointed last week by the CG of Buddhist Affairs as the acting Basnayake Nilame to serve until a permanent Basnayake Nilame is appointed. The staff also engaged in a silent protest in front of the Devalaya premises on 5 January in protest of the appointment, and later decided to withdraw from all their duties.