Ranil assures monks of Buddhism's foremost place

<p>Sri Lanka's prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe today met with senior Buddhist clergy and reassured them that the government would ensure Buddhism's foremost place in the country, despite any change in the constitution.</p> <p>“I informed the Mahanayaka Theras that I have already spoken to opposition political parties and have come to an agreement not to change the wordings of Article 9 of the Constitution which gives the foremost place to Buddhism,” Wickremesinghe said.&nbsp;</p> <p>“I also told the Prelates that we will shortly launch a programme of granting concessions to people in rural areas.”&nbsp;</p> <p>Highlighting the recent attacks on Buddhist statues in Mawanella, Wickremesinghe assured the monks that action would be taken against those found responsible.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>