Malwathu Chapter suspends Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana thera from Chief Sanghanayake post

Colombo, May 31 (Daily Mirror) - The Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha of the Malwathu Maha Viharaya has decided to suspend Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thera from the position of Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwara Kalaviya with immediate effect, pending the outcome of ongoing court proceedings related to allegations made against him.

Ven. Hemarathana Thera currently serves as the Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwara Kalaviya of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siam Maha Nikaya and also holds the position of Atamasthanadhipathi, the Chief Custodian of the Eight Sacred Buddhist Sites in Anuradhapura.

The decision was taken after the Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha summoned the relevant parties and reviewed the facts surrounding the allegations. At a meeting held on May 30, the Sabha resolved to suspend the honorary title conferred on Ven. Hemarathana Thera until the legal process is completed and a final determination is made.

The Malwathu Maha Viharaya stated that the suspension was carried out under the powers vested in the Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha.

Meanwhile, acting on the directives of the Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha, the Atamasthana Committee has appointed Venerable Eethalwetuna Wewa Gnanathilaka Nayaka Thera, Chief Sanghanayake of the North Central Province and Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanwelisaya, to temporarily perform the duties of the Atamasthanadhipathi until further notice.