Chief Monk of Mihintale Says State Minister of Home Affairs Fleed Temple Amid Public Outcry Over Lavish Spending as People Demanded Accountability for Taxpayer Funds

December 27, 2023

Walawahangunawawe Dhammarathana Thera, has reported that the State Minister of Home Affairs hastily departed from Mihintale amidst a public protest during his visit to the sacred site. The monk, speaking to the media, cited public discontent over politicians' extravagant lifestyles funded by taxpayers' money as the cause of the demonstration.

"People were angry because these politicians spend lavish lives using people's tax money, and they were against granting special treatments," stated Dhammarathana Thera, shedding light on the sentiments that led to the public protest during the minister's visit.

According to the Chief Monk, the disgruntled crowd was particularly vocal about the perceived misuse of public funds for the comfort and privilege of political figures. The protesters expressed their dissatisfaction with the state of affairs and demanded accountability from elected officials.

In a surprising turn of events, Dhammarathana Thera initially indicated uncertainty about whether it was the State Minister of Home Affairs or the Foreign Affairs State Minister who faced the public backlash. However, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya later clarified that he was in Colombo with his family and did not visit Mihintale.