-By Our Political Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -10.March.2025, 11.30 PM) It was a sight to behold: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, standing at the podium, delivering a lecture on moral responsibility and ethical governance—with none other than former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa sitting in the audience. If irony had a face, it would have been that moment.
As the nation watched, the newly elected leader took the stage at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), where the ceremonial awarding of the Sri Sannas Patra to the newly appointed Supreme Mahanayaka Thero of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithree Moorthi Maha Nayaka Thero, was taking place. Yet, while the occasion was a religious one, the President saw fit to use it as a powerful reminder of the values Sri Lanka desperately needs to uphold. And who better to hear this sermon on morality than the three former heads of state—each with their own storied political pasts?
In his speech, President Anura Kumara emphasized that religious institutions, particularly the Maha Sangha, hold a crucial role in shaping a nation’s moral compass. He stated:
"No matter how many economic and political victories we achieve, they would be meaningless if we fail to establish a just and virtuous society."
The sentiment was noble, but one couldn't help but wonder if the former Presidents in attendance felt a twinge of discomfort. After all, Sri Lanka’s recent history has been a parade of political scandals, corruption, and governance failures—often under their watch.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the man who fled the country amidst economic collapse, sat quietly. Maithripala Sirisena, who once claimed he knew nothing about the Easter Sunday attacks despite being the Commander-in-Chief at the time, nodded along. And Chandrika Kumaratunga, whose tenure was marked by a mix of reforms and controversies, looked on.
President Anura Kumara’s speech was not just a philosophical musing; it was a challenge to the nation’s leadership—past, present, and future. He made it clear that Sri Lanka’s path to recovery was not just economic but also moral. He emphasized the importance of:
Strengthening national values and ethical leadership
Restoring public faith in governance
Encouraging a national dialogue on compassion, justice, and accountability
"The restoration of our fractured society cannot be achieved through law alone. A compassionate and ethical society must be cultivated, and religious institutions have an irreplaceable role in guiding this transformation," he stated.
If this sounded like a subtle rebuke to the political elite, it was because it probably was.
One of the more significant points in President Anura Kumara’s address was his mention of the Buddhist Dialogue Act. He revealed that discussions were already underway with the Mahanayaka Theros to enact this legislation, which aims to formally establish the Sangha Council and grant the necessary authority to the Mahanayaka Theros and the Sangha Sabha.
Amendments to Sections 41 and 42 of the Viharagam and Dewalagam Ordinance were also in progress. Once these are approved by the Cabinet and passed in Parliament, the religious leadership in the country would be empowered with greater responsibility in shaping Sri Lanka’s moral and spiritual direction.
For a country where religion plays an integral role in everyday life, this move signals a shift toward reinforcing the ethical backbone of governance through the guidance of the Maha Sangha. However, it remains to be seen how this will translate into real political and societal change.
As the President spoke of morality, honesty, and responsibility, one couldn’t help but wonder what the former Presidents in attendance were thinking.
Did Gotabaya Rajapaksa reflect on the consequences of his administration’s policies, which left the nation bankrupt?
Did Maithripala Sirisena recall the Easter Sunday tragedy and his inability to provide justice to the victims?
Did Chandrika Kumaratunga revisit the political decisions that shaped her legacy, for better or worse?
The symbolism of having these former leaders present was almost poetic. Their administrations—each in their own way—contributed to the erosion of trust in Sri Lanka’s governance. Now, they sat in the audience as a new President spoke of rebuilding that very trust.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s speech was filled with noble ideals and promises of a better future. But Sri Lanka has heard such speeches before. The real question is whether this administration can break the cycle of political deception and corruption that has plagued the nation for decades.
Can the Maha Sangha truly play a role in holding leaders accountable? Will the Buddhist Dialogue Act and related reforms have real impact, or will they be mere symbolic gestures?
More importantly, will Sri Lanka’s political class—both past and present—finally embrace the values they so often preach but so rarely practice?
As President Anura Kumara concluded his speech and handed over the Sri Sannas Patra to the Supreme Mahanayaka Thero, the audience applauded. Whether this applause was for the ceremony or the uncomfortable truths he had just laid bare, only time will tell.
--By Our Political Correspondent
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by (2025-03-10 19:04:13)
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