COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Thousands of Buddhist monks gathered in Colombo on Monday for a conference where speakers voiced concern over possible constitutional reforms, the administration of archaeological lands in Sri Lanka's Northern and Eastern provinces, and what they said was growing criticism of the Buddhist clergy.
The Maha Sangha Conference, held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall under the theme "Sukhā Sanghassa Sāmaggī" ("The Unity of the Sangha Brings Happiness"), was organized by the Sasanarakshaka Sangha Sabha and drew monks from across the country.
Organizers said the gathering was intended to discuss challenges facing the Buddha Sasana and promote unity within the Buddhist monastic community.
Calls for stronger protection of archaeological sites
Addressing the conference, Induragare Dhammarathana Thera urged the government to introduce stronger legal protections for Buddhist archaeological sites.
He said a proposal to transfer lands administered by the Mahaweli Authority to Divisional Secretaries could place Buddhist archaeological sites at risk.
Dhammarathana also said there were more than 1,000 Buddhist archaeological sites in Sri Lanka's Northern and Eastern provinces, though he did not provide evidence for the figure.
Archaeology has long been a politically sensitive issue in the Northern and Eastern provinces, where Tamil political parties and civil society groups have accused successive governments of using archaeological designations and land administration to expand state control over disputed areas. Buddhist organizations, meanwhile, have argued that ancient religious sites require stronger legal protection and preservation.
Dhammarathana also expressed concern over possible constitutional reforms, saying they could weaken Buddhism's constitutional status.
Article 9 of Sri Lanka's Constitution gives Buddhism "the foremost place" and states that it is the duty of the state to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana.
He further alleged that there was an organized campaign to turn the public against Buddhist monks.
Monks defend their role during the civil war
Agalakada Sirisumana Thera, head of the Department of Sinhala at the University of Colombo, said Buddhist monks had played an important role during Sri Lanka's civil war.
He said members of the Sangha had made sacrifices that contributed to protecting the country during the conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Sirisumana rejected suggestions that the conference was politically motivated, saying its purpose was to demonstrate unity within the Buddhist clergy rather than support any political movement.
Concerns over the Esala Perahera
Ulapane Sumangala Thera, who coordinated the conference, said senior Buddhist monks had increasingly become targets of criticism on social media.
He also accused outside groups of attempting to influence the organization of Sri Lanka's traditional Perahera processions.
Referring to recent public debate over the Kandy Esala Perahera, Sumangala criticized proposals to shorten parts of the annual procession, describing them as interference in long-standing Buddhist traditions.
Earlier this month, Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara rejected claims circulating on social media that the government intended to alter the Kandy Esala Perahera, calling the reports false and urging the public to rely on official information.
Follows earlier declaration
Monday's gathering followed a conference held in February at the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, where about 500 monks adopted a ten-point "Sangha Declaration."
The declaration reaffirmed support for Buddhism's constitutional status, opposed separating religion from the state, called for legislation criminalizing insults against Buddha statues, and urged action against online criticism of Buddhist monks.
It also stated that "the irreligious should not rule this land" and announced a signature campaign opposing any constitutional separation of religion and the state.
Government yet to respond
The government had not publicly responded to the statements made at Monday's conference by the time of publication.
The National People's Power administration has previously said it has no intention of removing Buddhism's constitutional status or altering Article 9 of the Constitution.
