Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the spiritual guidance rendered by the Maha Sangha and their support in strengthening values within society provide an invaluable strength for the Government’s efforts.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the ceremony to confer the title of Mahanayaka Thero of the Shyamopali Vanavasa Nikaya on the Most Venerable Mahakande Rathanapala Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Wathuruwila Vanavasa Sangha Headquarters and Director of the Sri Gnananda Vanavasa Maha Pirivena, held on August 15.
Addressing the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
The service rendered by the Most Venerable Mahakande Rathanapala Thero for nearly six decades towards the preservation of the Vanavasa tradition, Buddhist education, and the continuity of the Buddha Sasana place an immense value.
The title conferred upon him as Mahanayaka Thero is a great honour in recognition of his service to the Sasana.
The way in which Vanavasi Bhikkhus live in harmony with nature and with restraint, as well as the simplicity, discipline, restraint and sense of responsibility towards the future reflected in the tradition of Aranyawasi bhikkus, provide important examples for our journey towards modernising the country.
As a country, we are moving forward today not merely by building new things. We are renewing what we already have and creating an environment that enables our people to build better lives. We are experiencing this transformation as we modernise every sector, including health and education, as well as the transport sector, from modernising transportation to introducing metro services.
What we aspire to build as a country is not merely a prosperous nation, but a society that is better, more compassionate and more responsible, enabling people to lead fulfilling lives. While new technology, infrastructure and economic opportunities are essential for this, we must also develop the human qualities necessary to use them properly and responsibly.
I would also like to emphasise that the spiritual guidance provided by the Maha Sangha and the support extended by you to strengthen positive values within society are an invaluable source of strength for the efforts undertaken by the Government on this journey.
The efforts in transforming a country does not fall with the Government alone. Protecting the new facilities, systems and creating opportunities, using them responsibly, further developing them and handing them over to future generations is a responsibility shared by everyone.
The occasion was attended by the Most Venerable Niyangoda Wijithasiri Thero, Anunayaka of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siyamopali Maha Nikaya of the Malwathu Maha Vihara, and Chancellor of the Yakkala Wickramarachchi Indigenous Medicine University; the Most Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Nayaka Thero, Anunayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siyamopali Maha Nikaya of the Asgiriya Maha Vihara and Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya; Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Galle District Member of Parliament Nishantha Perera, along with distinguished invitees and a large number of lay devotees.
