• Claims Ampitiye Sumanarathana’s conduct unacceptable but based in lived reality 

The Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect said that the Government must be impartial and more sensitive when handling issues in the North and East areas of the country before blaming Buddhist monks for their conduct.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (1 November), the Secretary of the Supreme Sangha Council of the Asgiri Maha Viharaya Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera said that it seems that the Government and the law enforcement authorities do not listen properly to the voice of the people who have been living in these areas since the three-decade ethnic conflict, and therefore urged the public not to misinterpret the situation by highlighting the conduct of one particular Buddhist monk.

When queried about the conduct and recent statements made by Ven. Ampitiye Sumanarathana Thera who is the chief incumbent of a temple located in the borders of the Trincomalee and Batticaloa Districts, Dhammananda Thera said that his conduct cannot be accepted, yet, some unique issues faced by him (Sumanarathana Thera) and his community have made them so. 

“As I was a member of a committee appointed by the previous Government, I personally know the issues faced by him and his people. Some people have no permanent residency in either of these two districts due to these racial issues. I don’t blame this Government, but, almost all governments have neglected these issues. Some look at this issue from another perspective,” he said.

He further stated that since these issues are very complex, the Government should look into these matters very deeply and where its roots are, before making decisions. He said that if they make inquiries partial, it would badly affect the existence of the country’s social fabric.

Recently, the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) submitted a formal letter to the Inspector General of Police, urging action against Sumanarathana Thera. The monk has come under scrutiny for his alleged incendiary remarks that have raised concerns about communal harmony in the country. In a recently circulated video that has sparked outrage, the monk is seen making threats against the Tamil community in the Southern region of Sri Lanka. The ITAK contends that these statements pose a serious threat to communal harmony and have the potential to incite violence and hatred, and therefore demanded his arrest under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act. 

Several attempts made to contact the Police in this regard proved futile.