PM vows not to leave room to creating any more Somaramas and Buddharakkithas

By Saman Indrajith

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday told Parliament that his government would not leave room for the making of any more Bhikkus like Talduwe Somarama or Mapitigama Buddharakkthitha.

The Prime Minister, participating in a debate on agreements Sri Lanka entered with several other nations at the time of adjournment, condemned the conduct of Ven Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thera at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The Prime Minister said he had instructed the police to have a full scale investigation into the conduct of Ven. Gnanasara thera and submit the report to Mahanayakes of the Malwatte and Kotte Chapters for further action against the monk.

The police had acted on the instructions of the Magistrate, the Premier said, adding that there was a law in the country and all were equal before it. "As a Buddhist, I am ashamed of what happened at the Homagama Magistrate’s court premises," he said.

"This government will not leave any room for Somaramas or Buddharakkithas to be created again. [Both Bhikkhus were involved in the assassination of Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranaike.] The Court had decided to arrest and remand Ganansara Thera for threatening the wife of missing cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda. "We have to respect the law and court order."

"Another unfortunate incident occurred today. A group of monks staged a demonstration opposite the Homagama Magistrate’s court. We have information that there were some persons who were not bhikkhus; they were laymen wearing robes. We will investigate that, too."