Comprehensive Reforms Needed to Protect the Buddhist Sasana – Chandrika Kumaratunga

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has called for a comprehensive reform programme within the Buddhist monastic establishment, emphasizing that the long-term survival of the Buddhist Sasana depends on safeguarding both the Dhamma and monastic discipline.

She made these remarks in a letter addressed to the Mahanayake Theras of the three Buddhist Chapters.

In the letter, she stated that Buddhist history demonstrates how crises within the Sasana were resolved through reform processes aimed at protecting the religion. She pointed to examples ranging from the First Buddhist Council to the historic reforms led by Ven. Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thera during the Kandyan era, noting that such efforts helped ensure the continuity of Buddhism.

She further stated that attempts made by the government of former Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike in 1956 to strengthen Buddhism remained incomplete following his assassination.

Former President Kumaratunga also recalled that during her presidency, there had been plans to organize a Buddhist conference under the guidance of the late Madihe Pannaseeha Mahanayake Thera with full government support. However, the initiative was abandoned due to opposition from certain groups of monks.

She noted that, on several occasions since independence, groups benefiting from existing issues within Buddhist institutions had acted to prevent meaningful reforms from taking place.

According to her, Buddhism in Sri Lanka is currently facing serious challenges, and there is an urgent need for a broad national dialogue to identify the root causes of the crisis and implement both short-term and long-term solutions.

She stressed that focusing only on isolated incidents or attempting to silence public discussion surrounding such issues would not solve the deeper problems affecting the Buddhist Sasana.

Former President Kumaratunga also urged the Mahanayake Theras to take leadership in initiating a Buddhist conference aimed at ensuring the future stability of the Sasana. She added that she is prepared to work together with senior Buddhist leaders to provide the necessary organizational support for such an initiative.