General

The Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Thero, has urged Buddhist clergy to remain calm in response to criticisms from certain groups in society. He highlighted that instead of reacting with anger, it is wiser to stay quiet, as the truth will come to light in time. These comments were made during a ceremony honoring his contributions at the historic Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya in Badulla. In his speech, Most Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Thero noted that a significant portion of the Sri Lankan population still values and respects Buddhism, stating that their faith will not diminish. He also pointed out that despite the current social challenges, events celebrating Buddhist monks and their contributions continue to take place, even though some people criticize these gatherings. “I believe it is better for the Maha Sangha to stay calm instead of getting upset about these issues. Right now, being silent is the best choice,” said Narampanawa Ananda Thero. He further emphasized that roughly 90 percent of Sri Lankans are Buddhist, and their respect for the Triple Gem remains strong. The Thero affirmed that the relationship between the lay community and the clergy is significant and will persist in the future.