Sri Lanka's United National Party (UNP) has accused the National People's Power (NPP) government of attempting to undermine Buddhism and interfere in the affairs of the Buddhist clergy, as controversy continues over proposed reforms aimed at addressing misconduct within the Buddhist Sangha.
The dispute comes amid heightened public scrutiny of Buddhist institutions following allegations of child sexual abuse against senior Buddhist monk Pallegama Hemarathana Thero. The case has triggered renewed debate over accountability mechanisms for members of the clergy and whether Buddhist monks should continue to enjoy special disciplinary structures separate from ordinary criminal proceedings.
Responding to recent remarks by Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake regarding disciplinary measures for errant monks, the UNP claimed that the government was seeking to bypass established religious traditions and interfere in matters that should remain under the authority of Buddhist institutions.
The opposition party argued that any reforms affecting the clergy should be undertaken only through consultation with senior Buddhist leaders and in accordance with existing religious procedures.
In a statement, the UNP criticised discussions surrounding proposed amendments to legislation governing Buddhist temples and institutions, including proposals relating to a revived "Dharma Court" and changes to the Viharagam and Devalagam framework.
"The government does not have the power to establish a Dharma Court. According to the Constitution, neither the executive, the legislature nor the judiciary have the power to interpret the Dharma. The power to pass laws on disciplining the clergy has been given to Parliament under Article 105 of the Constitution. However, the final powers lie with the committees of the respective sects. At present, this work has been done by the cabinet, officials and a handful of monks of a government that does not accept Buddhism.
The temples with the most assets and properties today are in the monasteries and temples that fall under the Vihara – Devalaya Village Act. It is no secret that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is taking the position that these temples should be taken under government control. There is a strong suspicion that the Dharma Court is being created for this purpose."
The UNP further accused the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the dominant force within the ruling NPP coalition, of maintaining a historically antagonistic relationship with Buddhism. It referenced the killings of Buddhist monks during the 1987–89 insurrection and alleged that the party had never formally apologised for those actions.
The opposition also criticised the government's handling of recent religious observances, claiming that authorities had disrupted traditional practices associated with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year and Vesak celebrations. It further alleged that state institutions and government-linked social media platforms were engaged in efforts to marginalise Buddhist religious opinion.
The controversy follows comments made by Dissanayake during the State Vesak Festival, where he announced that the government was preparing legal amendments to revive a "Dharma Court" to handle disciplinary matters involving Buddhist monks.
According to the president, the government had reached agreement with senior Buddhist clergy and state officials on amendments to Sections 41 and 42 of the Viharagam and Devalagam Act of 1931.
The proposal has renewed debate over the privileged constitutional position afforded to Buddhism in Sri Lanka and the existence of separate legal and disciplinary mechanisms for members of the Buddhist clergy.
The debate has intensified following a series of allegations involving senior Buddhist clergy, including the recent Anuradhapura abuse case, which prompted widespread public outrage and calls for greater accountability.
The dispute has once again highlighted the influential role that Buddhism and the Buddhist clergy continue to play within Sri Lanka's political system, where questions of religion, law and state power remain deeply intertwined.