Although the Rajaraja Mahamatyadin understood that monks have played a huge role in the spiritual development of the country for 2500 years, modern rulers have not been able to understand it, says Professor Kotapitiye Rahula Thero, Anunayake of the Maha Sangha Sabha of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Sabha.
“For some time, officers from the Civil Defense Department of the Triviya Army were deployed to serve the temples in this country. Sadly, we do not have that today. This is not something we have taken by force or by the monks. It is a privilege that this order has enjoyed for two thousand and five years. Today, that privilege has been taken away from us.
A bill has been sent to build the boundary wall of the Galduwa Aranya Senasana. What is this stupidity? Recently, I was assigned to give a speech at a meeting where the Prime Minister was visiting. I was told to finish my speech before the Prime Minister arrived. I finished my speech in five minutes. But the place that monks, religion and temples deserve in our country should be protected in the same way.”