Buddhist monks rally in Sri Lanka to pressure the government for a wider role in affairs of state

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By Editor_1
Buddhist monks gather to stage a protest demanding more respect from the government, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Credit: AP/Venura C. Rathnayake

COLOMBO — Hundreds of Buddhist monks rallied in the capital of Sri Lanka on Friday (20) in a Maha Sangha Conference to protest alleged government disrespect of their religion and disregard for a long-standing tradition that they be consulted in matters of state.

The constitution of the island nation of around 22 million people states that Buddhism is the state religion, though freedom of religion is protected by law. Article 9 of the country’s constitution warrants the head of state and the government to foster Buddhism, the religion of 74% of the population, while preserving the rights of other religions.

More than 70% of the population is Buddhist, and their clergy are influential in social, cultural and political affairs. There are also minority Hindus, Muslims and Christians living in Sri Lanka.

During the conference, the Buddhist clergy and Buddhist leaders from across the country jointly declared a Sangha Charter consisting of 10 points to alleviate the current social crises faced by the Buddha Sasana, the Maha Sangha and the people of the country.       

Ven. Professor Agalakada Sirisumana Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Sri Bodhirajaramaya in Moratuwa and Head of the Sinhala Department of the University of Colombo, said the Sangha Charter, signed by all the Buddhist monks present and read out at the conference, was scheduled to be presented to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The Charter said the responsibility of the government in the island nation is to base its values on the principles of Buddhism, which emerged in the 5th century BC in ancient India, and recognize the right of the clergy to counsel in the affairs of the state.

It also urged for excluding non-Buddhists from top office in Sri Lanka, incorporating Buddhist values in schools and the education system and protecting all archaeological sites connected to the religion.

The monks also criticized the government over what they termed an “organized campaign being run by vested interests to sully Buddhism”

Addressing a gathering, leading monk Muruththettuwe Ananda said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had called him to persuade him from going ahead with the meeting, attended by monks from all provinces.

“He asked me to come to have talks with him and to stop this,” Ananda said.

The monks claimed that “organized social media campaigns are being run by vested interests and the government needs to pay attention to it”, with Ven Kotapola Rathanapala, another leading monk, urging the government to “stop it”.

Over the last year, some politicians have been openly critical of the monks.

Several monks were arrested in the eastern district of Trincomalee for violating coastal conservation laws in trying to put up makeshift veneration sites.

They charged that local ruling party leaders were behind the arrests of the monks.

-Agencies/ENCL

Editor_1
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