The Sri Lankan government has decided to strictly enforce a requirement for Buddhist monks travelling overseas to obtain recommendations from their respective senior monk (Guru Hamuduruwo), the regional Buddhist leader, and the Mahanayaka Thero of their Nikaya.
Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake said the regulation had been introduced previously but had not been consistently implemented in recent years.
He noted that the decision was reinforced following discussions between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Registrar Theros, with Mahanayaka Theros also being informed of the move.
The Deputy Minister made these remarks in response to a recent incident involving the arrest of 22 Sri Lankan Buddhist monks at Bandaranaike International Airport while returning from Thailand in possession of large quantities of narcotics.
Meanwhile, he said a separate discussion was held yesterday (29) involving Registrar Theros, the Attorney General, and ministry officials regarding urgent amendments to the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance.
Further deliberations have also taken place on granting authority to take action in such cases to a committee led by the Mahanayaka Theros, in line with Sections 41 and 42 of the Ordinance.
