Theras will be prisoners under BTA: Sobitha Thera

National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Chief Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera today claimed that the proposed Buddhist Temporalities Act (BTA) was not conducive for the safety of Buddhism and he would request the Mahanayaka Theras to call for a discussion on the proposed Act immediately.

The Thera, who met United National Party (UNP) members, including Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Kotte Sri Naga Viharaya said all the monks would be prisoners or only security guards at their own temples under a Commissioner General if the proposed bill was passed.

“The proposed Act gives unlimited powers to a Commissioner General who will govern all the Buddhist Temples in the country. The Government attempted to appoint a Chief Incumbent to the Kataragama Kiri Vehera but the Malwattu Chapter rejected that and appointed a qualified prelate. The Government was introducing this Act because it was defeated. If this is implemented the Government will be able to appoint anyone of their choice,” he said.

The UNP members met Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera to update him on the dangers of the proposed Buddhist Temporalities Act. (Lahiru Pothmulla)