Insurance to Bhikkus, priests of other religions

The government would introduce a life insurance scheme for all Bhikkhus and monastics of other religions of Sri Lanka, a government source said yesterday.

A proposal to insure Buddhist monks had been submitted by the Minister of Buddhasasana and Wayamba Development, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, to the mini-cabinet meeting on Wednesday last week. The meeting was held at the Temple Trees and chaired by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Mr. Wickmesinghe endorsed the proposal and has reportedly said one can interpret the good work as discrimination against other religions if only the Buddhist monks were offered a free life insurance scheme and therefore, it would be more meaningful if the insurance cover was given to priests of other religions like Fathers, Swamis and Moulavis.

Accordingly, a census will be taken on prelates of all religions and assess the cost for a free life insurance scheme for them. Minister Perera is expected to submit a cabinet paper covering priests of all religions shortly on the instructions of Premier Wickremesinghe. (Sandun A Jayasekera)