Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera has rejected allegations circulating on social media regarding his association with women, challenging critics to substantiate their claims with evidence.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the Thera stated that he interacts with approximately 45,000 women through various religious and community engagements, and invited detractors to produce even a single photograph suggesting impropriety.

He alleged that Buddhist monks are increasingly subjected to insults and defamatory campaigns online, and questioned why certain individuals appeared “so fearful” of members of the Maha Sangha.

The Thera clarified that no politicians would be invited to the conference scheduled for 20 February, emphasising that it is not a political gathering aimed at toppling or forming a government. He said the event would be open to the fourfold Buddhist community — bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, upasakas and upasikas.

Muruttetuwe Ananda Thera further claimed that certain individuals close to the President were misleading him, and urged that those spreading falsehoods be removed from positions of influence. He warned of what he described as a growing trend of attacks on religion, culture and the clergy through certain media outlets and social media platforms.

Referring to a specific social media post, the Thera said his photograph had been juxtaposed with that of a woman in an attempt to malign him, adding that the woman concerned was not the person implied in the post.

He maintained that he was prepared to face criticism, but insisted that unsubstantiated allegations should be supported by evidence rather than circulated as insinuations.