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No need of a new Constitution or Amendments - Malwatu & Asgiriya Chapters

18 October 2017 08:08 pm - 47     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha, of the Malwatu & Asgiriya Chapters today decided that there was no necessity of a new Constitution or amendments to the present Constitution of the country and urged to stop the Constitution drafting process.

The decision has been taken during a special meeting held at the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy yesterday evening, with the participation by the members of the Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha of the Asgiriya and Malwatu Chapters led by Anunayake of the Malwatte Maha Vihare, Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladharma Thera, Anunayakes of the Asgiriya Maha Vihare Ven. Wedaruwe Upali Thera and Anamaduwe Sri Dammadassi Nayaka Thera.

Following a two-hour meeting, Anunayake of the Malwatte Maha Vihare, Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladharma Thera told the media that the proposed Constitution was not suitable as it leads to division of power including the assigning of powers to the Provincial Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas, which were not entertained even by Parliament.

“We have decided the unsuitability of the proposed Constitution. We say that a new Constitution is not needed. The present Constitution is good for us. We will express protest of the Maha Sangha after briefing the Mahanayakes of the Asgiriya and Malwathu Chapters, Ramannaya and Amarapura Nikayas. We urge the government to stop the drafting process immediately. The present Constitution is better for us. President’s powers should be intact. But a electoral system based on first-past-the- post system also should be there. We decided that the Maha Sangha should oppose the proposed Constitution,” the Thera said.

Asgiriya Chapter Lekakadikari Dr. Medagama Sri Dhammananda Thera said introducing a new Constitution at this juncture would lead to a racial and communal division.

“The proposals made in the proposed Constitution were detrimental to the unitary state concept and decentralization of state power would create a serious situation. It is evident that the country would be divided,” he said. (Text and pix by J.A.L. Jayasinghe)


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  Comments - 47

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  • Sincere Wednesday, 18 October 2017 08:36 PM

    But, that was what the people of this country voted for!

    cloud Thursday, 19 October 2017 01:03 AM

    No. People didn't vote for SLFP to make a new constitution. Maybe for the UNP. A constitution was proposed by UNHR Chief Prince Zeid though. Since UNP did not have majority, u can't really say people gave a mandate for a new constitution.

    shanthapriya Thursday, 19 October 2017 11:09 AM

    This happens when two major political parties tries to fool Tamil people to get their votes

    Nirmala Thursday, 19 October 2017 04:40 PM

    No we did not vote for a new constitution.Voted for the promised only electoral reforms.

    Ronnie Bugger Thursday, 19 October 2017 09:15 AM

    So who on this blessed earth is running the country ? Is it the government of the people, by the people and for the people or those saffron robed temple rats who must find some ways and means to burn calories ? This answers both questions.

    JOTHIPAALA Thursday, 19 October 2017 09:36 AM

    "DONT EVER UNDER ESTIMATE......"

    channa Thursday, 19 October 2017 11:58 AM

    do not insult our religion you skunk. Disclose your identity and we will teach a good lesson to respect our religious heads

    Rakitha Thursday, 19 October 2017 12:11 PM

    I am a Christian but please use respectful language for religious......

    Jesse Thursday, 19 October 2017 08:18 PM

    Country is not run by white robed church, mosque or kovil ! Are you happy with that answer now?

    tarzan Thursday, 19 October 2017 09:27 AM

    hope we will be like this for another 2500 yrs, sure

    W.B. Thursday, 19 October 2017 10:18 AM

    no not that long.

    malik Thursday, 19 October 2017 12:44 PM

    All people have had enough with this fake Buddhism and monks. In a Nation Where so much cruelty happens. Why protect This Fake Version practised by political monks?

    Shan Perera Thursday, 19 October 2017 09:29 AM

    People voted for Maithree to abolish executive presidency and it needs a constitution change.

    Jayadeva Thursday, 19 October 2017 09:31 AM

    Did the Buddhist clergy pick this up from the scriptures?? They have not said much about in the sermons on Buddhist values as they now seem to be only interested politics!!!!!

    BBM Thursday, 19 October 2017 10:20 AM

    picks from the politicians of the garbage bin.

    KAARAKA SABHAVER Thursday, 19 October 2017 09:34 AM

    Diabolical tricks won't do any good any more. They are replaying the 1815 madness that was after defeats, This time after war win. The blindness inherit only failures and defeats.

    BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 19 October 2017 09:37 AM

    Before all this, we need to bring in a constitution that only Buddhist monks can be politicians and make political decisions and all Politicians and Law Makers need to retire into temples and involve themselves only in following the principles of Buddhism and preaching.

    Saman Thursday, 19 October 2017 09:40 AM

    The Maha Sangha Led by the prelates of the three chapters of Malwatu Asgiriya and Ramangngna considers it as their sacred duty to intervene in defending the Interests of Sinhales Buddhists if the incumbent government fails to do so. Their ancestors have done this in the past even in the times of kings and they will continue to do so as the Senior most Buddhist clergy in the country. They will lose veneration of Buddhist community the day they fail to do so. By no means have they advocated killing the followers or destroying other religions like some other religions do!

    lokka Thursday, 19 October 2017 09:50 AM

    these theros got no works to do they got lovely cars they'll have nice food and they have a nice place to stay on what else they looking for ?

    GUESS WHAT Thursday, 19 October 2017 12:44 PM

    "what else they looking for ?" your guess is good as mine !

    Ratna C Thursday, 19 October 2017 09:53 AM

    I don't know which world are these monks living in! They are not bothered about the people. They don't love the people. They should be taught Budhdha's philosophy.

    lalith de silva Thursday, 19 October 2017 09:56 AM

    be bold to make political decision..... what knowledge monks are having in political and economics issue ..?? they must look after religion, and they can not act as owners of srilanka

    Kadmin Thursday, 19 October 2017 10:02 AM

    There are garbage dumps collapsing in the Sri Pada vicinity and those most important matters are being neglected but they are making decisions on constitution. I think these leading monks got their priorities mixed up.

    stunathan Thursday, 19 October 2017 12:40 PM

    A garbage dump can always be cleaned up! But the constitution is for generations to come. Maybe you you got this mixed up

    xxx Thursday, 19 October 2017 10:25 AM

    Today religious monk are talking about constitution

    foxbat Thursday, 19 October 2017 10:25 AM

    who are you to say no, the citizens of this country will decide. please keep up your respect and be inside the temple.

    ahath Thursday, 19 October 2017 10:59 AM

    lets send mahanayake theros to parliament we dont need democracy lets declare mahanayake theros as a parliament members

    vipula Thursday, 19 October 2017 12:44 PM

    Bro democracy is the most powerful weapon used by the west to kill the emerging economies.

    druvi Thursday, 19 October 2017 11:22 AM

    That's the end of that. Now can we get on with developing the Country and solving the peoples problems?

    Vipula Thursday, 19 October 2017 12:36 PM

    New constitution proposed by the west neither politicians nor the people of this country needed a new constitution.This constitution is more than enough to maintain good governance.Before these wite fox came in we were a united nation and there was no a Sinhala Buddhist Culture, nor a Tamil Hindu Culture, and no a Muslim Islam Culture, or a so called Christian Culture.There were only Ceylonese.We were divided and ruled hundreds years.Now we have Sinhala Buddhist,Tamil Hindu,Muslim Islam and so called christian curtures.We have thesawalame law,Muslim law,Kandyan law and the general law.This is how we were divided and ruled.You see the national flag it is the best example for a divided nation.If any one serious he should change the national flag and the anthem and abolish the all personal laws first.Ithink this is enough to unite this devided nation.West is still trying to devide this nation for their own well being.The proxy given to the World bank,Harvard,IMF etc

    lal Thursday, 19 October 2017 02:42 PM

    Why would Harvard even want to divide SL? Don't randomly put some places and rant nonsense I got my science degree from Harvard and its a UNIVERSITY

    Nalin Thursday, 19 October 2017 01:02 PM

    The Maha Sanga should confine themselves to practicing buddhism and preaching and spreading the words of Lord Buddha by going to people in slums, villages, mansions and prisons. This does not mean that they should only visit celebrities in prisons.

    Kumara Thursday, 19 October 2017 01:21 PM

    Those who oppose new constitution want Sri Lanka become a Burma for Rohingya muslims. Exodus to neighbouring countries and others as refugees.

    dinith de alwis Thursday, 19 October 2017 01:23 PM

    Dear DM team Immediately remove comment by Ronnie Bugger above.Thats an insult to Buddhism...You cant have such published on a respectable paper like DM. Imagine if readers starts to make such comments against all religions ??? One should know how to respect other religions

    Raj Thursday, 19 October 2017 06:20 PM

    Ronnie's comment is not against the religion but against those use religion to cover their faults.

    willowsd Thursday, 19 October 2017 02:35 PM

    If we all practice our religions to the letter, we don't need any constitution at all. Even with the new constitution, if it is not implemented, no use at all?

    TONY Thursday, 19 October 2017 06:08 PM

    I VOUCH YOUR STATEMENT. ALL RELIGIONS PREACH PEACE, TOLERANCE AND COMPASSION

    TJ Thursday, 19 October 2017 05:29 PM

    Listen to them. They still remain the kingmakers.

    Das Thursday, 19 October 2017 05:31 PM

    We have had many constitutions but none were implemented fully, as the politicians were rotten and denied justice to some sections of the citizenry.This "new" constitution will suffer the same fate.If the Mahasangha believe truly in the teachings of the Buddha, and behave accordingly, no new constitution is necessary.

    TONY Thursday, 19 October 2017 06:05 PM

    IT APPEARS AS IF THE CLERGY ARE NOW TAKING SIDES

    Haris Thursday, 19 October 2017 06:25 PM

    It's a big disappointment for people like me. Since I am Srilankan Tamil who has strong belief that we can live as equal citizen in this country with the Sinhalese through implementing the new constitution. And I always fight with people who advocate Tamil racism by saying Sinhala majority never accept the power devolution to the minorities. Now I feel they are correct. Then how can I feel like a real Sri Lankan citizen??? I don't know how the future of Sri Lanka is going to be...

    Dingy Thursday, 19 October 2017 07:01 PM

    Only solution is to divide the country now.

    LOKUMAMA Thursday, 19 October 2017 07:16 PM

    Sri lanka needs a new comprehensive constitution for the better of the country as sri lanka. But most of the people of sri lanka like patches. But patches does not work in 21 century not only that creat more problems in the future.

    Lord Wolfstein Thursday, 19 October 2017 07:16 PM

    These senile rogues in robes have no historical right to interfere in politics. It would be the same if the Catholic Inquisition were to interfere in politics of western countries today.

    S.P.RAMKUMAR Thursday, 19 October 2017 08:34 PM

    This 1977 Constitution were amended nearly 19 times. But when 13th amendment had been taken place, Protests were being taken place by ethnocentric minded groups, Now Government is trying to make amendment same problem is ready to be arisen, This is the Curse of this Sri Lankans, We as a Sri Lankan must pray for our betterment through with our united power of all Ethnics.

    charitha Thursday, 19 October 2017 08:46 PM

    We need to create a Country where every citizen could live with honour and dignity irrespective of cast, creed,race or religion.People must embrace spiritual values replacing political disharmony. Let us unite under one Sri Lankan identity like civilised Western Societies.

    Dee Friday, 20 October 2017 12:24 AM

    Used to have a lot of respect for priests. Not anymore. Will only respect lord Buddha. No more temple.


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