The chief custodian, or Basnayake Nilame, of the historic Sabaragamuwa Saman Maha Devalaya in Ratnapura will be determined through a vote on February 11, Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs R. M. P. Ratnayake said yesterday. .
The election, overseen by the governing body of the Saman Maha Devalaya, has already attracted candidates vying for the prestigious position. Applications for candidacy are currently being submitted to the Department of Buddhist Affairs, Ratnayake said.
The Mohottalas and the Board of Duties of the Saman Maha Devalaya, who staged a silent protest last week to oppose the appointment of an Acting Basnayake Nilame, have resumed their duties following a meeting with Commissioner Ratnayake.
The temple’s iconic tolling bells, which had fallen silent during the protest, rang out again after staff ended their strike. Protesters had objected to the appointment of S. V. Chandrasinghe as Acting Basnayake Nilame, bypassing their preferred candidate.
When asked why tensions had arisen between the authorities and the Devalaya administrators over the appointment, Ratnayake said yesterday that the Board of Duties had apparently been misled by someone with vested interests in the Basnayake Nilame election.
“The Devalaya administrators resumed their duties immediately after I explained the situation,” said Ratnayake.
“I had no option but to appoint an Acting Basnayake Nilame because the term of the previous custodian, Migara Jayasundara, ended on December 31, 2024,” Ratnayake said adding, “He had already received two extensions, which is the maximum allowed under the Ordinance.”
The election will involve members of the Ratnapura District Committee, along with eight Assistant Government Agents from District Secretariats in Kuruwita, Palmadulla, Opanayaka, Weligepola, Ayagama, Pelmadulla, Elapatha, and Kalawana. Religious leaders, including the Chief of Aaddharmalankkara Pirivena and the Chief Incumbent of Sri Pada, as well as Basnayake Nilames of other regional temples, also hold voting power. Notably, only male voters are eligible to participate in the election.
