The Sri Lanka–Bangladesh Buddhist Solidarity Front has expressed deep concern over the rising repression and violence against Buddhist and other religious minority communities in Bangladesh, urging Buddhists worldwide to unite and take immediate action to protect their rights and heritage.
Speaking at a media briefing in Kandy, the Front’s Propaganda Secretary, Ven. Kavissara Thero, warned that the future of indigenous Buddhist communities, especially those in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, is under serious threat.
The Thero emphasized that the persecution of Buddhists in Bangladesh is not a recent issue. He recalled the tragic events of 2012, when extremist groups destroyed 19 Buddhist temples and around 100 Buddhist homes, leaving lasting scars on the community.
According to the Thero, the situation has worsened following the political instability after the collapse of the Awami League government in August 2024, which has triggered a surge in targeted attacks against religious minorities.
The Front reported 2,442 incidents of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh during 2024 and 2025.
The Thero stressed that Buddhists are not the only ones facing persecution, noting that Hindu and Christian communities are also under threat. He called for a unified effort to protect the civil and human rights of all religious minorities, regardless of faith.
The Sri Lanka–Bangladesh Buddhist Solidarity Front has formally appealed to the Mahanayake Theros of Sri Lanka, the Maha Sangha, and Buddhist communities worldwide to take a leading role in defending Bangladesh’s Buddhist heritage and the fundamental right to life of its Buddhist population.
“Bangladesh holds deep historical significance for the Buddhists of Sri Lanka. At a time when the lives of minority Buddhists there are in danger, it is our collective responsibility to raise our voices and act,” the Thero said.
