Buddhasasana Minister orders release of some land around Kurundi Viharaya for cultivation

Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wickramanayaka has recently instructed officials of the Department of Archaeology to hand over some lands adjoining the Kurundi Viharaya, Mullaitivu, to the residents of the area for farming and other livelihood activities.The directive was issued at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Buddhasasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs.

However, the lands that have been surveyed by the Department of Archaeology will remain with the temple.The Kurundi Viharaya has been the site of recent controversy. In July, the Mullaitivu Magistrate’s Court ordered the removal of new constructions at the site. Earlier, the Chief Incumbent of the temple Ven. Galgamuwe Santhabodhi Thera had tried to enshrine relics in the pagoda following a conservation project implemented by the Department of Archaeology and the Buddhist Affairs Ministry.

During the meeting, it was revealed that about 45 percent of the monks who entered universities left the Sasana before graduation. The Minister said he would have talks with the Ministry of Higher Education on the issue.The committee members also had a lengthy discussion on the practice of children being ordained. The members agreed that a specific programme must be in place to ensure the well-being of the children as well as the Buddha Sasana.

The Minister also told the committee that he would propose a mechanism to inform the Nayaka Theras when an allegation was levelled against a monk through the police.Certain monks caused irreparable harm to the Buddha Sasana by being impious and engaging in business activities, Committee members said, asking the Ministry to intervene to take remedial action.