President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that according to the Constitution, prioritising Buddhism is imperative.
He said that the responsibility of upholding this principle is vested in the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. He emphasised the indisputability of this matter.
The President said anyone seeking to alter this principle, should endeavour to amend the Constitution accordingly. President Ranil Wickremesinghe said this during his participation in the inauguration ceremony of the ‘Gurudev Suva Arana’ Gilan Bhikshu Centre ‘’ constructed in Kiriwaththuduwa, Homagama yesterday.
The President said the imperative acknowledgment that all three branches of the Government, Executive, Legislature and Judiciary should accord priority to the Buddhist doctrine within the country. He underscored that failure to support this principle constitutes a violation of the Constitution, emphasising that all Members of Parliament are obligated to uphold and protect the Constitution.
The President stressed the need for acknowledgment that the Executive, the Constitution and the judiciary, as the three branches of Government, should prioritise Buddhist doctrine within the country. He said that failure to support this principle constitutes a violation of the Constitution, emphasising the obligation of all Members of Parliament to protect it.
The President said that the Constitution of this country outlines people’s sovereignty, prioritisation of Buddhism and preservation of territorial integrity as its core principles. He stressed the importance of consistently advancing while safeguarding these principles, emphasising that any opposition to them constitutes a breach of the constitution.
The President said that he was entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the treatment of a critically ill patient. He said that the patient, who was on the brink of death, is now showing gradual signs of recovery. The President conveyed his heartfelt appreciation in advance for the invaluable guidance and support provided by the Maha Sangha throughout this endeavour. As per the suggestion of the late Chief Registrar of Sri Lanka Ramanya Maha Nikaya, and the Chief incumbent of Sri Dhathumaluwa Viharaya Kohuwala, Ven. Mapalagama Siri Somissara Nayaka Thera, and upon the recommendation of current Chief incumbent of Sri Dhathumaluwa Viharaya Kohuwala Ven. Pitigala Sonuttara Nayaka Thera, the “Gurudev Suva Arana Gilan Bhikshu Centre” has been established to cater to the needs of Buddhist monks locally and internationally.
The construction of this Gurudev Suva Arana Gilan Bhikshu Centre has been accomplished through the labour contributions of the Sri Lanka Army, supported by both local and international donors. Venerable Bhikkuni Neunghaeng, the Chief of the Buddhist Hospital in Ulsan, South Korea, and SinDaw, a Bhikkuni Kaushon from the Long Fong Monastery in Taiwan, have generously contributed to the medical equipment of this facility. Their contributions were made in response to an invitation extended by Ven. Katuwana Wijithawansa Thera, Sri Lankaramadhipathi, Hethu , South Korea.
The President, after unveiling the plaque and inaugurating the Gurudev Suva Arana Gilan Bhikshu Centre, proceeded to conduct an inspection tour of the facility.
President Wickremesinghe said the Constitution of our country underscores three fundamental principles: people’s sovereignty, prioritising Buddhism and maintaining territorial integrity. It is imperative that we uphold these principles as the basis for our actions. Any opposition to these principles is deemed a violation of the constitution.
Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said throughout history, there exists a record of special hospitals being established in ancient times to cater to the needs of the Maha Sangha Ratnaya, who devoted themselves to safeguarding and upholding the Buddha Order in our country. Following independence, various Governments have allocated separate wards for monks within both local and foreign hospitals. While three Ayurvedic hospitals and numerous local Western hospitals have accommodated monk wards, the recent history of our country has not witnessed the construction of a dedicated hospital for monks.
