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(Lanka-e-News 13.Nov.2015, 11.00PM) ‘It was the cherished dream of late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera that a just society is established , and the executive presidency shall be abolished . In fulfilment of his wishes , a just society shall be established and executive presidency abolished accordingly ,’ president Maithripala Sirisena vowed solemnly and openly before the remains of the most Ven. Thera. It is noteworthy the president who could not abolish the executive presidency via the 19 th amendment while the Ven. Thera was alive , swore before the remains of the late Ven. Thera once again that he would abloish the executive presidency.
The president who did not abolish the executive presidency in fulfilment of his promise while the Ven. Thera was alive , thereby eroded the faith people had in the president . Hence he must now translate his words into deeds by abolishing the executive presidency, now that he made this pledge solemnly again at the Ven. Thera ‘s funeral right before his remains. The people have llong lost faith in words , and the president must therefore honor the pledge he has made a second time via action.
The president went on to say proudly that he is president today because of Ven. Sobitha Thera , the founder of good governance.
The funeral ceremony of the most Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera was conducted with full state honors with the participation of president Maithripala Sirisena and Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe , at the parliament grounds , Battaramulla last afternoon (12). The Mahanayakes of the three Nikayas , leaders of other religions, former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge , Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, ministers and MPs, Foreign envoys , local Diplomats , and hordes of people of all faiths including Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus were present at the funeral.
The remains were taken in a motorcade to the special podium before cremation at the parliamentary grounds , where the funeral rites and ceremonies began.
Professor of Kelaniya University , Kotapitiye Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma maha sangha chief incumbent made the welcome address . Dr. Ithepana Dhammalankara of Shyamopaliwansika maha Nikaya , Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagridharma maha sangha prelate conducted the preliminary religious ceremonies.
Ven. Thapana Pemasiri Thera , the prelate on behalf of Ramanya Maha Nikaya , Professor Ven. Bellanvila Wimalaratne Thera , the prelate on behalf of Kotte Sri Kalyani of the Samagri Dharma Sangha , Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera the prelate on behalf of Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters , and Ven. Brahmanawathe Seevali Thera , the prelate on behalf of Amarapura maha sangha , delivered the anusasana (funeral orations)
Anusasanas were delivered by heads of other religions too.Former chief Bishop Rev. Oswald Gomes on behalf of the Catholics, Ramakrishna Meesame Swamy Serva Roopananda Kurukkal on behalf of the Hindus , Al Seyyid Murshik Mulaffer on behalf of Muslims , and Bishop Diloraj Kanagasabay of the Lanka Diocese on behalf of the Christians expressed their condolences on the occasion .
The Prime Minister speaking on the occasion said :
Today , for the first time in this country’s history , an ordinary citizen is being accorded state honours for his funeral . Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera is not a Mahanayake Thera . He is not a reverend . He is not a state leader .He is not a Union leader.He is not a wealthy being . He is an ordinary being, a noble being who followed in the footsteps of the Buddha preaching the Buddhist tenets , and a sage .
His sermons were not confined to words of Buddha alone. He practically tried to create a just and fair society for the people of this country to live , reinforce the sovereignty of the law , and build unity among the people.
That just society was there in India and Africa. The late most Ven. Thera moved heaven and earth to secure that just society for SL via his sermons. His efforts were directed to achieve unity among all races – Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. The Ven. Thera steered that campaign forward.
He was undeterred and undaunted in his crusade . Nothing could hold him back. Even during his final stages of his life he worked selflessly without showing concern for his health. When he was in the hospital in Colombo in a room , he spoke about the future of the country . He was taken to Singapore for medical treatment .
In the circumstances , the demise of most Ven. Sobitha Thera is a huge loss to all of us. What we can do now on his behalf is accomplish the just society he strived for , and towards that we must commit ourselves. While thanking Ven . Sobitha Thera for all his services , I pray that the late Ven. Sobitha Thera will attain Nibbana.
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by (2015-11-13 21:49:01)
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rev.sobithas demise is the greatest loss to the nation in decades
-- by paul on 2015-11-14
