The Mahanayake Theros of the Three Nikayas urged Buddhist monks to uphold monastic discipline and unity, warning that certain groups were exploiting protests demanding a presidential pardon for Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thero to damage the clergy’s reputation.
In a special statement issued on October 25, the senior prelates said they had already intervened and initiated discussions with the Government to resolve the matter through legal means and dialogue.
They said the respect accorded to Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka depended on preserving monastic discipline, or Vinaya, and spiritual restraint.
The prelates cautioned that the protests were being exploited in ways that could undermine the dignity and reputation of the Buddhist clergy both locally and internationally.
They called on monks across all Nikayas to maintain unity and harmony, resolve disputes in accordance with the Dhamma and Vinaya, and act in ways that strengthened public confidence and faith.
The statement was issued by Most Ven. Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero, Mahanayake of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siam Nikaya; Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Pannananda Dhammasiddhi Thero, Mahanayake of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Nikaya; Most Ven. Karagoda Uyangoda Maithree Moorthi Thero, Supreme Mahanayake of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Nikaya; and Most Ven. Makulawewa Sri Wimala Thero, Mahanayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya.
The advisory followed the temporary suspension of the satyagraha at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, where monks had been demanding Gnanasara Thero’s release.
