A Maha Sangha Conference is scheduled to be held today (20) with the stated objective of educating the public on what organisers describe as pressures currently being exerted on Buddhism and members of the Maha Sangha in the country.
The conference is set to commence at 2.00 p.m. at the headquarters of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) in Colombo.
Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero stated that the conference has not been organised with any political objective. He noted that its primary purpose is to express concern over the alleged pressures faced by Buddhist monks and to raise public awareness regarding these issues.
Meanwhile, a signature collection campaign for a public petition requesting the President to take action against separatism and separatist forces commenced yesterday (19).
The campaign was launched at the Pepiliyana Sunethra Devi Pirivena and was led by Venerable Medagoda Abayathissa Thero, Venerable Induragare Dhammarathana Thero and Venerable Malwane Chandarathana Thero, according to reports.
Organisers said representatives of more than 60 national organisations participated in the event, including Gunadasa Amarasekara and Kalyananda Thiranagama.
The organisers further stated that the public petition is scheduled to be handed over to the President upon completion of the signature collection campaign.