News

A day at the Royal-Thomian (2025)

Published

3 months ago

2026/03/8

I attended the ‘BIG MATCH’ on March 7, 2025 after an absence of seven years. Sadly I couldn’t go the next day to witness a splendid Thomian victory, last achieved in 2016. I was inconsolable; but my mates comforted me. “Machan (mate), with cricket it’s always come or go Chicago;” that was schoolboy slang for the glorious uncertainties of cricket. “Just have a shot and drown your sorrows,” they said. But memories kept on flooding.

I last saw a Thomian win in 1953 under the captaincy of P.I (Ian)Peiris; a lanky light skinned youth, a demi-god to us kids. Neville Cardus famously said “we remember not the scores and results in after years, it is the men who remain in our minds, in our imagination.”

Strangely, I remember not only the men but also the scores. We were only 13 runs for four wickets when PIP along with GL( Konnapu) Wijesinghe resurrected our innings with a 187 run partnership. PIP scored 123, GLW’s contribution being 63; a final total of 290. We went onto win the match by an innings.

This revived the myth that Thomians aren’t dead till they are buried. Perhaps on the strength of this single innings PIP went on to play for Ceylon against the visiting Australians. Brian Claessen, a Wesleyite teenage all-rounder also played in the same match.

PIP later won a Cambridge blue in cricket and the same year another Thomian captain, Dan Piachaud, got an Oxford blue. Our Warden R.S. de Saram proudly announced the fact at the regular Wednesday general assembly; his nasal twang exaggerated that day due to his justifiable pride. PIP’s contemporaries at Cambridge included Ted Dexter and Gamini Goonesena. In an unofficial Test against a star studded West Indies team, PIP partnered Neil Chanmugam in a last wicket century stand; his share was 46, but he rated this as one of his best performances.

Many years later, I met him at a Ceylon Wildlife Society meeting. He was very affable and related many Thomian anecdotes. But there was an underlying sadness in his demeanour; he had just lost control of Richard Peiris & Co founded by his father and uncle. Both of them were regular spectators seated on the hard wooden benches at the old pavilion in the Big Club grounds at Mount Lavinia.

This ramshackle building was graced even by Mr D.S. Senanayake, Ceylon’s first prime minister. It was here too that my good friend Vernon stroked DS’s bald patch which went unnoticed . DS being the benign man he was, wouldn’t have taken offence. His son Dudley similarly obliged my friend who asked him for a light for his cigarette.

My first Royal – Thomian was in 1950 at the Oval in Wanathamulla. It felt like being in a strange country, a dry and dusty land. But the playing fields and the wicket were a lush green and the covered stands unique in that era were a welcome refuge from the harsh unrelenting sun. The vendors’ stands selling ice cold Portello and popsicles to accompany mother’s homemade sandwiches drew us repeatedly like magnets.

STC was captained by Roger Inman in the absence of the widely adored and respected Chandra Schaffter; he had a minor ankle injury and had been declared unfit by the coach in spite of CS’s vehement protests. The match ended in a draw.

The next year, 1951, was the centenary of the founding of our school. Even the most perfidious among us prayed devoutly for a Thomian victory. But it ended in disaster.

We were captained once again by Roger Inman and Royal by T Vairavanathan. Royalists batted first and were all out for 146. The skies opened then and play was abandoned.

Next day on a proverbial sticky wicket Thomians bravely declared at 61 for 7; Royalists replied with 105 for 8. The Thomians fought back with their famed grit but lost by five runs. Heads down and faces crumpled, we crawled back to our buses, pictures of misery.

An indelible memory from the Royal Thomians of that era is the melodious song (El Negro Zumbon) from the movie Anna, sung so seductively by Silvana Mangano. This was blared repeatedly over the loud speakers, captivating both young and the old. Years later, I played this back to a pretty Ukrainian nurse who worked with me, also named Anna.

When I murmured I dedicate this to you she blushed modestly but radiantly.

The 1954 match was made memorable by two unique individuals. One was my uncle Amitha Abeysekare, journalist, cartoonist , humorist and quintessential jester. His moniker at school was Pissu Abey and he lived up to it in full measure. He made a grand entrance to the Thomian tent with his cohort, puffing a Groucho Marx type cigar and waving a bottle which would have contained the nation’s favourite poison – arrack.

He was also a master of the obscene baila. Even after a biblical lifespan, their hilarity and vulgarity continues to stagger me. Everyone moved aside for the Grandmaster.

A cameraman from the Government Film Unit filmed him in all his glory and it was flashed in their weekly newscast. Unfortunately this was seen by the Warden who gave him six of the best.

Two decades later they met in the Bandarawela bazaar while shopping for vegetables.

Abeysekere went up to him sheepishly and said ” Sir, sir, do you remember me?”. “Remember you Abeysekare?” retorted the Cannon, “I have been trying to forget you for the past 20 years.”

The other was my dear friend PN. He and I and another bosom pal shared the last bench in the Upper Four C form ( the seventh standard). His nickname was ‘Veddah’ which he and all brothers inherited from their eldest sibling. It was a term used deprecatingly for forest dwellers and hunters. But PN was in reality a sophisticated and charming friend.

On the day of the match, he invited me home for a sumptuous lunch, after which we joined the Old Crocks rally. These were supposed to be vintage cars, but in reality the engines in their last legs were not even roadworthy. I’m not sure what miracle got us to the Oval but we did arrive whole and unscathed.

The era of girls school invasion had not dawned. In any case our old croc may not have lasted the extra mile. My good friend of later years, the elegant and charming Ladies College alumnus Rohini, said that they actually looked forward to the invading hordes and would bring their own rattles to add to the din. At the Oval however they sat demurely, pictures of virtue and innocence but glamorous nevertheless. Our sister College Bishops alumni were in a separate enclosure, no less glamorous.

Once inside PN got onto his ‘black magic’. When the Royalists were batting he would light his magic lamp and mutter incantations. Unbelievably Royalist wickets fell at regular intervals and his back was thumped vigorously. He stopped soon; perhaps he had enough of the back slapping, or in his wisdom wanted to quit while ahead. Regardless, he had achieved cult hero status.

For the 1957 match our legendary teacher LGB Fernando taught us Latin bailas to prove that his class was a cut above the others. However as soon as he was out of range our lot started on the ballad of the randy Burgher boy who seduced the doctor’s daughter, was neutered and made dysfunctional. Intellectual prowess was no match for ribald humour.

1957 too was notable for the first of our classmates playing in the senior team; the late Lareef Idroos played the first of his four Big Matches. How proud were we of him; the diminutive lad who mesmerized the best batsmen with his leg spinners and googlies.

BACK TO 2025

My brother in law Anuruddha and I arrived in style in his magnificent Mercedes at the pavilion gate No. 2 of the SSC grounds. We were the Warden’s invitees courtesy of another brother in law Nalin Welgama. Having decided to take the small elevator instead of the stairs, what happened next was serendipitous in the fullest sense of the word. Another gentleman who was already in smiled at me.

I introduced myself as Kumar G old Thomian. “Oh my God , I’m Nihal Seneviratne whom

you spoke to last week.” He turned to Anu and said “my father, Dr Robert Seneviratne,

delivered Kumar at the Elpitiya hospital.”

Nihal was the very distinguished retired Secretary General of Parliament. We were related but strangers. I had called him after reading an article he had written in the Island newspaper about his father with an attached photograph. At last I had seen the doctor who had brought me into this world though just in a picture. We parted shortly afterwards, he to the Royalist enclave and we to the Thomian wing.

We got good seats with uninterrupted panoramic views of the play. A pleasant young girl was just a couple of seats away. Perhaps an expatriate Burgher or a richly tanned Caucasian. I asked her whether she liked cricket; yes she nodded. “Do you know George Bernard Shaw said that cricket was a game played by 11 and watched by 11,000 bigger fools?” ‘Wasn’t he Irish?’ she asked. Obviously a sophisticated colleen.

Our luck continued. A school mate and cricketing colleague Ashley de Vos joined us. He was of course the distinguished architect and archaeologist. We were classmates, played in the under 16 cricket team together and lived not far apart in Hill Street, Dehiwala.

With our animated conversation cricket had to take second place. There was so much else to talk about.

His knowledge of ancient Sinhala history was encyclopedic and his admiration for the achievements of the Kings and also the ordinary people was unbounded. I reminded him of our trip to Anuradhapura; he was a consultant then to the Cultural Triangle project which was restoring the glory of our ancient capital cities. His interest in ancient history was stimulated by our venerable Sinhala teacher Arisen Ahubudu.

Ashley laughed heartily when I reminded him of his partiality to Kimbula Bunis. Of course the chat had to allude to our juvenile adventures at the school by the sea. Our conversation did touch on the trivia of our youth. He recalled our infrequent visits to the Aleric’s ice cream outlet near our school ogling the young receptionist. Anu piped in saying Aleric Wimalaratne the founder of Alerics was his father and the young girl was his aunt!

Most of us could afford either ice cream or jelly, not both. But some of our friends from affluent backgrounds did have both although they never flaunted their riches.

The cricket whenever we watched was of a high standard. The batting was classical and the pacemen fast and accurate. The only misgiving was their long run ups. My mind’s eye went back to Frank ( Typhoon) Tyson the English speed merchant of the 1950s, who according to Richie Benaud was the fastest bowler he had ever seen. He started off with a very long run up but little success. With a shortened approach on the advice of his captain Len Hutton he ran through the Australian team again and again.

There were many little reminders of those glory days. Prefects trying to palm off match souvenirs, only the bravest confronting teenage girls; no such compunction with us gray haired geriatrics: little boys selling flags and the ubiquitous vendors attempting to get rid of impractical headgear. Tireless boys running out to the park at the fall of each wicket and regular parades along the boundary line with ludicrously large banners. All these may have been ridiculous but in some ways at least, to some of us sublime too.

The lunch break came too soon. Ashley adjourned to the Mustangs tent; we went to the SSC restaurant downstairs. It was better than expected, spacious with the tables set wide apart. The service was prompt , the food delicious but pricey. We ordered three Lion lagers and fish and chips. The fish was ‘ Modha’ (Barramundi in Australia), accompanied by a white sauce and a small helping of salad. The chips were firm and dry and ample.

Anu went to bring ice creams and I noticed a young employee nearby with a brush and pan to sweep the rubbish – a pleasant girl with a timid smile in a clean uniform which accentuated her slender figure. She looked more elegant than many of the overdressed over-sized girls who paraded past us. I felt guilty having squandered on one meal a sum which could have been her weekly pay.

Involuntarily I asked whether she had had lunch. “Yes.” “What did you have?” Rice and curry”. Feeling penitent, my hand went to the wallet for a tip. But wiser counsel prevailed as my gesture may have been misinterpreted by the management and onlookers. It would have been acceptable had my

wife been there. The ice cream somehow did not taste as delicious as it should have.

On returning to our seats, we talked less and watched more. But soon fatigue and sleep

overtook us and we left shortly after the tea interval. Altogether it was a delightful day reliving the heady days of our youth.

by Kumar Gunawardane

STC Circa 1949-1961

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Advisory for strong winds and rough seas for the sea areas extending from Kankasanthurai to Chilaw via Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota

Published

8 hours ago

2026/05/28

Priyan

Advisory for Strong Winds and Rough Seas
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 04.30 p.m. 28 May 2026 For the period from 04.30 p.m. 28 May 2026 to 04.30 p.m. 29 May 2026.

Please be prepared as the sea areas extending from Kankasanthurai to Chilaw via Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be rough at times with strong gusty winds up to (60-65) kmph.

The naval and fishing communities who are engaged in fishing and naval activities in the above sea areas are requested to be vigilant in this regard

News

Farmers Affected by the Nilwala Salinity Barrier paid Rs. 1.2 Billion in Compensation

Published

10 hours ago

2026/05/28

Priyan

Compensation was awarded on Wednesday (27) morning under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to farmers who were unable to cultivate their lands between 2019 and 2022 due to flooding caused by the salinity barrier across the Nilwala River. The event was held at the Malimbada Pradeshiya Sabha Auditorium in Matara.

The salinity barrier, constructed in 2019, caused continuous damage to agricultural lands in several areas of the Matara District, including Kamburupitiya, Kekanadura, Malimbada, Wilpita, Madiha and Thalalla.

Although previous governments failed to provide a proper solution to the issue, the present Government allocated Rs. 1.2 billion in the 2026 Budget to compensate the affected farmers. Accordingly, compensation is being paid for seven consecutive cultivation seasons, from the 2019 Yala season to the 2022 Yala season.

All farmers who had duly reported crop damage to Agrarian Service Centres during the relevant cultivation seasons are eligible for compensation. Payments are to be made in respect of 12,800 acres of uncultivated farmland.

Compensation was symbolically awarded today to 250 farmers by the President, while payments to all eligible farmers are expected to be completed within the next 14 days.

Addressing the gathering, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the country has now established a strong economy founded on discipline and accountable governance, enabling the Government to provide the highest compensation payments in the nation’s history during times of hardship.

He stressed that the Government’s policy is to provide compensation within a short period whenever damage occurs. At the same time, he noted that the Government has initiated programmes not only to address the immediate concerns faced by the public, but also to gradually strengthen their economic conditions and integrate them into the national economy.

The President further pointed out that Rs. 90 billion has been allocated under the Ministry of Industries to provide loans to small-scale entrepreneurs, while Rs. 25 billion has been allocated for the 2026 “Praja Shakthi” programme aimed at strengthening rural economies.

Highlighting the progress achieved in several key economic indicators after decades, the President stated that economic growth should be measured not only by data, but also by improvements in the people’s quality of life.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also stated that the public has no desire to remove a government that remains accountable to the people, adding that only thieves, fraudsters and drug traffickers dream of doing so.

He further alleged that those facing corruption and fraud charges before the courts were attempting to spread falsehoods out of fear, but noted that the present Government continues to move forward while gaining increasing public confidence.

The President also expressed his appreciation to the staff of the Matara District Secretariat, the Department of Agrarian Development, the Department of Agriculture, and the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board for their dedication in implementing the compensation programme.

He further stated that the Government has planned a wide-ranging development programme for the Matara District, including permanent solutions to the Matara flood issue and measures to provide stable income sources and improved living standards for economically disadvantaged communities.

Emphasising that education is the most important pathway to improving people’s lives, the President noted that the Government has already launched a broad education reform programme, including the modernisation of schools islandwide and the establishment of 50 vocational training centres.

Speaking at the event, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti said:

“We promised during the election campaign that we would bring an end to the Nilwala tragedy. There are several issues involved, including flooding and the inability of farmers to cultivate due to the salinity barrier. Even before coming to power, the coordination committee was repeatedly confronted with the grievances of affected farmers.

“Today, these beneficiaries are not only receiving compensation, but a panel of experts has also been appointed to identify sustainable solutions to the problems associated with the Nilwala River.

By the end of this year, feasibility studies will be completed and the necessary steps will be taken to permanently resolve the salinity barrier issue. Rs. 500 million has been allocated for this purpose.

“In addition, Rs. 1.2 billion has been allocated to compensate farmers who suffered crop losses over several cultivation seasons from 2019 to 2022. Before coming to power, we protested for years demanding compensation for these farmers. Today, we are able to provide compensation without requiring people to protest.

“Some farmers are receiving compensation amounting to nearly Rs. 2.9 million. We have allocated a substantial amount of money for these farming communities. We plan to complete all compensation payments by 18 June this year.

“Some people claimed that greater compensation could be obtained through protests, while others urged farmers to reject this compensation. However, instead of asking you to protest, we protested on your behalf and ensured that this compensation was granted. The officials present here can bear witness to that. We understood your suffering and your difficulties very well. Certain individuals also claimed that accepting this compensation would result in farmers losing ownership of their lands. That is completely false.”

Parliamentarian Professor L. M. Abeywickrama also addressed the gathering, stating:

Today, what you are receiving is compensation that farmers were unable to secure during previous administrations despite repeated protests and which had almost reached a point where it would never be granted. Whenever farmers protested, they were given false assurances that compensation would be provided and were then sent away. By the following cultivation season, they would once again suffer crop damage, protest again and receive yet another empty promise. This cycle continued for many years.

During the previous administration, there was even a proposal to acquire the affected lands after paying full compensation. However, we pledged to provide relief to the farming communities in five Divisional Secretariat divisions in the lower Nilwala basin who had been unable to cultivate their lands for seven consecutive seasons, from the 2019 Yala season to the 2022 Yala season.

We held several rounds of discussions on this matter under the leadership of the Secretary to the President at the Presidential Secretariat as well as at the Parliamentary Secretariat. It was through those discussions that we were able to make this compensation programme a reality. This became possible due to the collective effort of both the political authorities and public officials. Officials of the Agrarian Service Centres, the Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, representatives of the District Coordination Committees and many others worked with great dedication towards this effort.

A committee of experts has now been appointed to provide a sustainable solution to the Nilwala salinity barrier issue, and LKR. 1,000 million has been allocated for this purpose. However, as the project cannot be completed within this year, we utilised those funds, together with allocations already set aside for canal and embankment rehabilitation, to restore and clean the canals and waterways connected to the Nilwala River. As a result, despite the heavy rains experienced in recent times, we were able to minimise flooding in Matara.

Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Deputy Minister Arkam Ilyas, Southern Province Governor Professor Susiripala Manawadu, Members of Parliament Lal Premanath and Ajantha Gammaddege, along with several other public representatives, state officials and representatives of farmers’ organisations, were also present at the event.

(PMD)

News

State Vesak Festival held with the participation of the President

Published

10 hours ago

2026/05/28

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that a spiritual revival is essential in fostering economic revival within the country, and that the best determination people can make on this Vesak Full Moon Poya Day is to properly recognise the responsibility entrusted to all citizens to safeguard the Buddha Sasana and the Dhamma for future generations, and to unite in fulfilling that responsibility.

The President made these remarks on Wednesday morning (27) while attending the inaugural ceremony of the State Vesak Festival held at the Midellawala Purana Rajamaha Viharaya in Thihagoda.

The President also pointed out that Buddhism does not belong solely to those of us living today or only to the monks clad in robes, but that the Buddha Dhamma was preached for the liberation and well-being of all humanity. He further stated that the Government expects to promptly introduce the necessary legislation to enable the Maha Sangha to maintain the Sangha institution in accordance with Vinaya discipline.

The 2026 State Vesak Festival, marking the 2570th Buddhist Year, is being held under the theme “Abhiththaretha Kalyane” and titled “Dakshina Prabha”, centred around the city of Matara from Wednesday until 1 June, in line with National Vesak Week.

The “Dakshina Prabha” National Vesak Festival consists of two Vesak zones: the “Prathipaththi Pooja” zone and the “Amisa Pooja” zone. The Prathipaththi Pooja zone is centred around the historic Matara Fort area, while the Amisa Pooja zone is located within the city of Matara and the Beach Park vicinity.

The Prathipaththi Pooja zone features an exhibition of sacred relics, Dhamma sermons and discussions conducted by eminent preachers, devotional poetry recitals, and programmes on almsgiving, observance of sil and meditation.

The Amisa Pooja zone includes a giant Vesak pandal erected near the Fort Wall and city centre, a creative Vesak lantern competition at the Matara Beach Park, devotional music performances by the Tri-Forces and Police near Pigeon Island, puppet shows and cultural performances showcasing Southern traditional arts.

Several special attractions have also been organised, including a modern AI-powered light display featuring Buddhist symbols and patterns in the sky, Jataka story presentations through traditional Southern puppetry, and digital screenings of Jataka stories and films across the city using LED displays.

In parallel with the State Vesak Festival, a photographic exhibition organised by the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka was also inaugurated under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha. The President and accompanying dignitaries also viewed the exhibition.

A special commemorative stamp issued for the 2570th State Vesak Festival, along with a set of three Vesak commemorative stamps featuring three temples in the Matara District, was also officially released at the event. The first stamp was presented to the President.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also presented official “Pooja Bhoomi Sannas” declarations to several religious sites of historical significance in the Southern Province.

Addressing the State Vesak Festival, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated:

“Today, we are participating in a historic and significant occasion in Sri Lanka. The Buddha was one of the greatest teachers ever to appear in the world. His birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana all fall on this Vesak Full Moon Poya Day. We have commemorated this sacred occasion over many centuries.

What is the reason that this Dhamma has survived for so long? Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka 236 years after the passing of the Buddha, that is, 2,334 years ago from today. I believe the reason this Dhamma has endured for such a long period, while preserving its essence, is because it is based on causality and grounded in realism.

The Buddha preached the Dhamma he had realised to sixty disciples on the very first Esala Full Moon Poya Day after attaining Enlightenment. He instructed them to preach this Dhamma for the welfare and happiness of the many.

The first factor behind the endurance of the Dhamma is therefore its foundation on causality. The second factor is our venerable Maha Sangha who are guardians of the Dhamma and Vinaya.

For a long period, the Dhamma survived through oral tradition. Until the teachings were committed to writing, it must have been extremely difficult for a single monk to memorise the entirety of the teachings. Therefore, according to the various Nikayas, the Dhamma was divided and preserved orally with immense dedication by the Maha Sangha.

We know that the Digha Nikaya was preserved by the Digha reciters, the Majjhima Nikaya by the Majjhima reciters, and the Samyutta Nikaya by the Samyutta reciters.

In this manner, the Maha Sangha preserved and transmitted the Dhamma and its essence orally for centuries. Later, during the reign of King Walagamba, the Tripitaka was committed to writing and preserved in written form.

Today, there are books of sermons within temples. But who conveys the essence of those books to the Buddhist people? I have never seen a monk merely turning pages and preaching directly from a text. Our monks study the Dhamma, absorb that knowledge and then preach it to the people.

There was a request to amend Sections 41 and 42 of the Viharagam and Devalagam Act of 1931. There was also a request to restore the authority to take disciplinary action through the Dhamma courts against monks who violate discipline.

The Maha Sangha of the three Nikayas formally submitted this request to me in writing. Our Minister presented a Cabinet paper on the matter, which received Cabinet approval. Accordingly, amendments were drafted.

As we know, all such amendments must receive the approval of the Attorney General’s Department. The Department proposed several revisions, and recently I facilitated discussions between the Chief Prelates and Secretaries of the Malwathu, Asgiri, Ramanna and Amarapura Chapters, together with the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs and the Attorney General.

I was informed by the venerable Maha Sangha that a final consensus had been reached during these discussions. Therefore, we will very soon introduce the necessary laws to enable the Sangha institution to be maintained in accordance with Vinaya discipline.

This Dhamma does not belong only to those of us living today, nor solely to monks in robes. It was preached for the liberation and well-being of all humanity. Therefore, we all bear the responsibility of ensuring that the essence of this Dhamma is preserved without being destroyed.

As our Sobitha Nayaka Thera pointed out, we have witnessed instances today where the Dhamma is distorted under the very guise of the Dhamma itself. What can rulers do in such circumstances? He invited me to act as kings of the past once did. We are prepared to do so. However, for such measures, we require the support of the venerable Maha Sangha who are guardians of the Dhamma and Vinaya.

I invite everyone to work together to safeguard the Dhamma preached for the liberation of all humanity. I do not wish these actions to be interpreted merely as political or governmental decisions. I would rather they be understood as measures we must take as Buddhists. These should become Buddhist decisions taken for the sake of the Dhamma, the Buddhist people and the future.

Looking at our history, whenever we declined spiritually, we also declined economically. Likewise, when we declined economically, we declined spiritually as well. Every era in which we experienced spiritual revival was also an era of economic prosperity.

Therefore, as we move towards becoming an economically prosperous nation once again, our country also requires a spiritual revival. The effort of both myself and this Government is to bring about that economic and spiritual revival together.

During the reigns of King Dutugemunu, King Wasabha, King Mahasen and King Parakramabahu I of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka experienced both spiritual enlightenment and economic prosperity.

Economic prosperity cannot be achieved merely by constructing buildings, roads, factories and technological infrastructure. True economic revival can only be achieved within a righteous society, a society built on understanding, compassion towards others, and the rejection of hatred, anger and hypocrisy.

A righteous society and economic revival must progress together. Therefore, we aspire to make this era one that will be remembered in Sri Lankan history as a period of spiritual revival. Alongside that, I am confident that economic revival will also be achieved.

We have already undertaken significant work towards this objective. In particular, the World Buddhist Conference is scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka this November. I believe this will become a major milestone in the country’s spiritual revival.

Whenever religious places encounter hardship or disaster, the Government stands ready to intervene and assist. We must build a nation founded on both righteousness and strong economic progress.

Just as the Government has its responsibilities in this regard, I also strongly hope that our venerable monks will fulfil the responsibilities entrusted to them. Buddhism and our society share an inseparable historical bond.

Before Buddhism arrived in Sri Lanka 2,334 years ago, what kind of society existed here? It was the Dhamma that transformed this land into a society with a refined culture and identity. Without the spread of Buddhism, it is difficult even to imagine what kind of civilisation we would have become.

We are a people who feel compassion for the suffering of others. During times of disaster, people do not consider race or caste, they feel empathy for everyone.

Buddhism played a tremendous role in shaping the Sri Lankan nation into one that is cultured, humble and hospitable. I believe the arrival of Arahat Mahinda Thera laid the foundation for the Sri Lankan nation itself.

Therefore, distorting this noble Dhamma causes pain to all of us. The decline of disciplined monks within a distorted interpretation of the Dhamma is also deeply painful.

After 21 monks were arrested in connection with narcotics offences, I held discussions with the Maha Nayaka Theras of the three Nikayas. They proposed that, if possible, the monks should be disrobed before being produced before court. How can we take monks to court in handcuffs?

The representatives of the three Nikayas agreed to this proposal and further decided that those proven innocent could later be re-ordained. However, legal procedures are governed by the law and not by the Dhamma, and therefore that course of action could not be implemented.

Any disgraceful incident connected to the Dhamma causes us deep sorrow. We are a nation shaped around the temple. In our villages, the Poson festival was the principal celebration. The monk who taught us Buddhism was our village chief monk.

When monks walked along the gravel roads to the tank for their evening bath, people would kneel by the roadside in reverence. We are a people shaped by that spirituality. It was the monks who taught us the Dhamma, morality and the future. When disputes arose in our villages, it was the monks who resolved them.

Because of this deep spiritual connection, these incidents cause us great pain.

Therefore, the Venerable Theras must be granted the authority necessary to maintain discipline within their institutions. I know that not only I, but also the Maha Sangha led by the Maha Nayaka Theras, are deeply distressed by these developments.

If there are forces attempting to build opposition against liberating this Dhamma based on such incidents, then the time has come for us to reflect upon ourselves. Otherwise, should we allow a Dhamma protected for over 2,615 years to perish before our very eyes?

Throughout history, monks risked their lives to protect the Upasampada ordination lineage. Should we not remember them? Kings of the past lived in hiding to protect the Dhamma.

If a Dhamma protected in such a manner is now being distorted before our eyes and subjected to slander and false accusations, what should we do?

On this Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, we must reflect upon ourselves. The Buddhist community, priests, moulavis, kurukkals, all of us, must work once again towards safeguarding our children and younger generations and towards reviving religion in our country.

Schoolchildren and members of the security forces are being arrested due to narcotics-related offences. Drugs are spreading in large quantities. Why is this happening?

Where discipline, morality and social values collapse, crime, abuse and social crises inevitably emerge. At this moment, when we commemorate the Birth, Enlightenment, and the Passing away (Pari nibbāna) of our Supreme Teacher, a responsibility has been entrusted to all of us to free this country from such conditions. I invite everyone to unite in that effort.”

(PMD)