Reference to Buddhist Temporalities Act a personalised law Eminent Buddhist monks urge Prez to take action against Ali Sabry

A group of eminent members of the Buddhist clergy, in a letter addressed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, protested Justice Minister Ali Sabry’s remarks in Parliament that the Buddhist Temporalities (Amendment) Act was a personalised law of the country. They urged the president to take appropriate action against the minister for such erroneous utterances as soon as possible.

The letter has been sent by Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera. It has been signed by 11 monks. They are Ven. Weliwitiyawe Sri Kusaladamma Thera, Ven. Prof. Medagoda Abhayatissa Thera, Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera, Ven. Omare Kassapa Thera, Ven. Balangoda Sobitha Thera, Ven. Muruttettuwe Ananda Thera, Ven. Welivitiyawe Gnanaratana Thera, Ven. Prof. Ittademaliye Indasara Thera, Ven.Malwane Chandaratana Thera, Ven. Dr. Kapugollawe Ananda Kiththi Thera and Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera.  

Referring to the Minister’s remarks that the Act was a personalised law of this country, these monks said the personalised law was something enacted to deal with matters particular to a specific ethnic group. Citing the scholarly book ‘An Introduction to the Legal System of Sri Lanka’, they wrote in their letter that only the Kandyan law, Thesawalami law and the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act were the personalised laws of this country.