Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena called on all people on the island to come together and “build a society in this Buddhist country,” during a religious ceremony in Matara last week.
The southern president went on to call on young Bhikkhus in particular to “act in a manner which protects the dignity and recognition of the noble Bhikkhu society”. Mr Sirisena went on to heap praise on senior Buddhist monk Kirama Wimalajothi Nayaka who had been “elevated to the position of Chief Sanganayake of South Sri Lanka”.
The remarks, reported by the official President’s Media Division, were made during a ceremony to honour the monk with Mr Sirisena presenting him with a religious scroll. He was joined by several senior cabinet ministers and other politicians.
During the event, the Sri Lankan president also went on to hand out land deeds to those displaced in floods in Matara.