The administrative body and Kapu Mahaththaya of the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya withdrew from daily services (Thewawa) and other duties yesterday, protesting the appointment of an acting Basnayake Nilame, which they claim violates the temple’s traditions.
S. V. Chandrasinghe was appointed as the acting Basnayake Nilame by the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs last week, following the end of the former Basnayake Nilame’s term. The appointment is intended to last until a permanent Basnayake Nilame is selected.
The administrative body, however, argued that the decision was politically motivated and disregarded the temple’s traditional practices. Yesterday morning, the Kapu Mahaththaya and other officials staged a silent protest at the entrance of the Saman Devalaya on the Ratnapura–Panadura road.
Officials of the devalaya pointed out that the appointment did not follow the customary requirement of selecting a qualified individual according to tradition.
The Chief Kapuwa, Gayan Vijayanarayana, stated that their opposition stems from the breach of long-standing traditions and customs upheld by the temple. Under the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance, a Basnayake Nilame is expected to carry out duties mandated by law as well as rituals honoring the temple’s deities.
