Wimal Weerawansa Accuses Government of Undermining Buddhist Heritage, Criticises 2026 Budget

Former Minister and National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa has accused the government of pursuing plans that could undermine the religious and cultural significance of the Anuradhapura Sacred Area, while also strongly criticising its latest budget proposals.

Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo on November 13, Weerawansa said he had invited Minister Sunil Senevi to participate in a discussion concerning the Anuradhapura Sacred Area.

He alleged that the gazette notification issued in connection with the area was anti-Buddhist and questioned whether it had been introduced in the interests of India. He also claimed that the minister had acknowledged that there were wider issues beyond what was contained in the gazette notification.

Weerawansa further alleged that development activities around the Ruwanweliseya could pave the way for the area to be designated as a multi-religious sacred site in the future. He also claimed that there were plans to construct a Ramayana temple in the area.

Turning to the recent confrontation at the Anuradhapura Sacred Area, Weerawansa said a peaceful Satyagraha protest had been taking place when an individual wearing robes, whom he alleged had been expelled from his Buddhist sect, attacked the protesters.

He condemned the alleged attack, describing the conduct as unacceptable, and called on the Mahanayake Theras to intervene in the matter.

He said the senior Buddhist clergy should take the initiative in addressing the issue, adding that the Maha Sangha and other concerned parties should work under the leadership of the Mahanayake Theras to ensure an appropriate response.

Weerawansa also launched a strong criticism of the government's latest budget, arguing that it contained more words than practical economic proposals.

He said the budget lacked a meaningful review of the measures introduced in the previous year's budget and questioned whether the latest proposals could realistically be implemented.

According to Weerawansa, merely presenting proposals in a budget speech would not ensure that they became a reality on the ground.

He also made a political remark about President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, claiming that even statements made by young children on television appeared to make the President apprehensive.

Commenting on the Il Maha Weera Commemoration, which honours former Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Rohana Wijeweera, Weerawansa made a controversial remark, saying that had Wijeweera been alive, the occasion would have been about his death rather than his remembrance.