Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued a statement of sympathy following the devastating accident at the Na Uyana Āranya Senāsanaya (Na Uyana Monastery) in Melsiripura, Pansiyagama.

The tragedy resulted in the deaths of several local and international Buddhist monks. 

Wickremesinghe offered his heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives and also wished a swift and complete recovery for all the injured monks currently hospitalized.

He paid tribute to the deceased, observing that the venerable clergy had devoted their lives to forest asceticism in pursuit of liberation from worldly suffering and had now passed on, embodying the very Buddhist teaching of impermanence.

The former President concluded his message with a prayer for the departed monks, hoping they achieve the ultimate state of blessed peace—Nirvana.