President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that a nation’s progress cannot be achieved solely through laws and regulations, highlighting the crucial role of tradition in shaping a country’s identity. He noted that Sri Lanka has built a remarkable legacy rooted in Buddhist traditions and underscored the responsibility of safeguarding these traditions for future generations.
The President expressed these sentiments during a discussion held yesterday (22 January) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the 74th Upasampada Vinaya Karma ceremony of the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya.
Recalling the historical significance of the Upasampada Vinaya Karma, a major Buddhist ceremony, President Dissanayake stated that the cessation of ordained monks would mark the dissolution of the Buddhist institution itself. He stressed the importance of preserving and honouring these ancient traditions.
The national Upasampada Vinaya Karma ceremony, organised biennially by the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya, is scheduled to be held from 30 June to 5 July 2025 at the Punyawardhanarama Viharaya in Vijithapura, Palugaswewa, within the Udakukkhepa Sima Malakaya.
This grand event, which will see the ordination of over 250 novice monks under state sponsorship, is considered a significant task by the government. President Dissanayake instructed officials to ensure that all necessary arrangements are made to facilitate the ceremony without any shortcomings.
