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Govt.
to pre-empt JHU on anti-conversion bill The Government's bill proposes a five-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 100,000 on those involved in unethical religious conversions with monetary inducements, as against the JHU bill that envisages a jail term not exceeding five years and a fine of Rs. 150,000. The government bill proposes seven years and a fine of Rs. 500,00 in the case of unethical conversion of children while the JHU bill which is to be presented as Private Member's motion proposes a similar jail term and fine. The JHU bill is more elaborate in that it seeks to protect Samurdhi benficiaries, military personnel, prison inmates and disabled persons among others. Details of the bill to be presented by JHU Parliamentarian Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera were announced last week. Buddha Sasana Ministry Secretary D.W.Abeywickrema commenting on the proposed government bill said: "If it is an organisation which is involved in the conversions, then all members of the group have to face charges. If a foreign national is charged, he will be deported." The bill titled the Religious Freedom Act is to be a presented along with the Supreme Sangha Council Bill, which seeks to set up a 21-member Supreme Sangha Council that will advise the government on matters relating to Buddhism and measures necessary to safeguard the Dhamma. The Council would be representative of all Nikayas in the country, Mr. Abeywickrema said. The drafts had been sent to the Attorney General's Department for scrutiny and would be presented again to the Cabinet for final approval within one month before they were presented in parliament as priority bills, Mr. Abeywickrema said. The objectives of the bills are based on recommendations made by the Presidential Buddha Sasana Commission report released in June, 2002. |
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