UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena and MP Suresh Raghavan Criticise Government over Treatment of Buddhist Monk

United National Party (UNP) Chairman Vajira Abeywardena said new legislation was not necessary to address the controversy involving Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, arguing that pardons were granted in many countries around the world.

He questioned whether the law was being applied equally to everyone, adding that legal matters also needed to be considered in the context of cultural traditions.

Abeywardena accused the government of acting against Buddhism and warned that its approach could undermine religious communities. Referring to a remark attributed to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, he described the administration as an “L-board government”.

He also questioned the procedures followed by prison officials in relation to the monk’s robes, arguing that the matter required proper consideration.

The UNP chairman further pointed out that many members of the LTTE had received pardons and been reintegrated into society, arguing that clemency had been granted to prisoners in many parts of the world.

Suresh Raghavan Calls for Respect for Buddhist Traditions

Parliamentarian Suresh Raghavan described the government as being opposed to the Dhamma and criticised its handling of the controversy.

He recalled visiting the monk on a previous Vesak Day while he was in prison, saying that the Thera had been wearing his robes at the time.

Raghavan called for the monk to be accorded the respect he believed was due to him without delay. He also called for the Thera to undergo re-ordination.

Referring to Sandhya Ekneligoda, he suggested that if legal action had been taken against the situation earlier, the current controversy might have been avoided.

Raghavan further alleged that a political party was seeking to establish a state according to its own agenda and claimed that this was behind what he described as efforts to target Buddhist monks.

The remarks were made amid continuing public debate over the removal of Ven. Gnanasara Thera’s robes following his imprisonment.