PM advised against criticising Mahasangha : State Minister Ramanayake

State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake yesterday (Jul 17) said the Prime Minister has advised him to refrain from making any criticism against the Mahasangha.

He made these remarks after meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who had called for a clarification, on his recent statements that young Buddhist monks were being abused at temples.

“I respect the Mahasangha at all times. I don’t have to render an apology to the Maha Sangha since I haven’t done anything wrong,” Ramanayake told reporters after the meeting at Temple Trees.

“So far no one has asked me to apologise over my remarks. If a righteous member of the Maha Sangha like the Chief prelates of the Three Chapters tell me that my statement was wrong I would make an apology,” he stated.

However, the State Minister emphasised that he would not bow down to monks who commit acts of abuse and act like thugs. “I produced a letter on information received regarding certain monks to the Prime Minister. I have all required information,” he remarked.

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