The Sri Lankan government has announced that Buddhist monks travelling abroad will now be required to obtain formal recommendations from their respective senior monk (Guru Hamuduruwo), regional Buddhist leaders, and the Mahanayaka Thero of their Nikaya.
Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake stated that although this requirement already existed under law, it had not been strictly enforced in recent years.
He explained that following discussions between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Registrar Theros, it was agreed that stricter implementation is necessary going forward, with all Mahanayaka Theros being formally informed.
The announcement comes in the wake of a recent incident in which 22 Sri Lankan Buddhist monks returning from Thailand were arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport while allegedly in possession of large quantities of narcotics.
Deputy Minister Dissanayake further noted that a high-level discussion was held with Registrar Theros, the Attorney General, and officials of the Ministry of Buddhasasana to review urgent amendments to the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance.
He added that further proposals are being considered to empower a committee led by the Mahanayaka Theros to take appropriate action in such cases under Sections 41 and 42 of the ordinance.
