Basnayake Nilame appointment at Ratnapura Saman Devalaya riddled with political favouritism

By Ajithlal Shanthaudaya   

Speculation is rife that the appointment of Basnayake  Nilame of Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya will go by political favour.  The election of Basnayake Nilame is scheduled to take place today.   

It is believed that it would start off through a tense  atmosphere, and the individuals having close relations with the Devalaya  have misgivings that the appointment would be subject to the instigation  of the government.   

However, several individuals who expected to vie for the  post have not been able to find proposers for the nomination, and the only individual who has been nominated is likely to be appointed  uncontested.   

The office of Basnayake Nilame has been vacant since  January this year. The term of office of former Basnayake Nilame Migara  Jayasundara had been extended by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe  twice. However, the extended term of office expired on December 31,  2024.   

 A leading gem merchant of the area S.V. Chandrasinghe was  appointed as Acting Basnayake Nilame by the Commissioner General of  Buddhist Affairs. However, the office bearers of the Maha Devalaya  challenged it in court. His term of office has ended, now leaving the  post vacant.   

The annual Esala festival of Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman  Devalaya is scheduled to commence on August 24, and the office bearers of  the Devalaya and the Department of Buddhist Affairs have been making  arrangements for it.   
The male Divisional Secretaries in the Ratnapura District  and the Basnayake Nilames of Bolthumbe Saman Devalaya, Uggal Aluthnuwara  and Ammaduwa Kuda Kataragama Devalayas are eligible to vote at the  election of Basnayaka Nilame of the Maha Saman Devalaya.   

It is understood that a prominent Minister and a District  Parliamentarian had met the Divisional Secretaries in this regard and  requested to vote for an individual of the government’s choice.   

Under the circumstance, there is speculation that the  Divisional Secretaries will not be able to vote independently due to the  political interference and that the individual nominated by the  Basnayake Nilames of Uggal Aluthnuwara and Ammaduwa Kuda Kataragama  Devalayas would be appointed to the post as expected by the government.