The General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena Gnanasara Thera slammed Sri Lanka’s government for attempting to bring in an act that “puts conditions” on the Buddhist clergy.

Reiterating that Buddhist clergies would not be controlled by parliament, and that any rules on monks should only be proposed by the Buddhist Sangha, Gnanasara Thera said,

“We are facing these problems because of not taking the right decision at the right time, a point which has not been understood by political leaders. We will not let the Act to be brought to the parliament. Ordinary people cannot put conditions on the clergy. If rules are to be implemented they should be proposed by the Chief Sangha Nayaka.”

Adding that monks would not present themselves before any court or magistrate, Gnanasara said,

“We respect the country’s law but we are not going to bow before the white man’s law unless it is relevant to our country."

Hundreds of students in Jaffna took to the streets earlier this week, to protest against government plans to establish private medical colleges.

JVP led monks threatened to launch street protests with other bhikkus if the government with what they called unnecessary laws to control the Maha Sangha, reports the Island.

Addressing the Centre for Society and Religion, the General Secretary of the JVP affiliated National Bhikku Front (NBF) Wakamulle Uditha thera said the government should discipline its politicians instead of making laws that looked to discipline Buddhist Monks.

The Buddhist monk added that the UNP governments throughout history had harboured a huge grudge against bikkhus.

Sri Lanka’s accountability mechanism would have an international process said British Foreign Minister Hugo Swire during his visit to the island.

Speaking at a press conference at the end of his 3 day visit, Mr Swire said,

“There is a lot of work going on to come up with some kind of solution to get things going. It will be a Sri Lankan process with an international element, but what that means remains to be discussed and seen. It is not an international system that is being imposed on Sri Lanka.

The ongoing military presence and occupation of the northern province six years after the end of the armed conflict lays the foundation for violence, said the chief minister of the northern province, C V Wigneswaran at the 'National Thaipongal Festival' in Jaffna on Friday.

“The fact that an estimated 150000 armed men belonging to an Occupational Army is stationed in the Northern Province six long years after the end of the War necessarily lays the foundation for violence," said Justice Wigneswaran.

"[The military] have taken over our lands, our livelihoods, our businesses, our resources and are a threat to the wellbeing of our war widows and others.”  

“Are we therefore in a fit state of mind to celebrate Thai Pongal?” Justice Wigneswaran asked the audience, who included the Sri Lankan prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, along with the UK Foreign Office minister for South Asia, Hugo Swire who is currently visiting the island.

Drawing attention to the 16th goal of the UN's 2013 agenda for sustainable development, which calls for justice for all and the establishment of accountable and inclusive institutions, Justice Wigneswaran said "this is indeed what we Tamils of this country are interested in."

British Foreign Office Minister for Asia Hugo Swire arrived in Jaffna this morning to celebrate Thaipongal.

The minister addressed an event at the Veerasingam Hall in Jaffna, which was attended by the Chief Minister of the Northern Province C. V. Wigneswaran, as well as Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent his wishes to the Tamil community who are celebrating Thai Pongal around the world today.

“Thai Pongal reminds us of the many cultures and traditions that we are privileged to enjoy here in Canada,” said Mr Trudeau. “Our rich diversity is a source of strength, which should be cherished and celebrated.”

The prime minister also highlighted the success of the Tamil community in Canada, stating,

“This is also a time for all Canadians to recognize the important contributions the Tamil community has made and continues to make across our country”.

British Prime Minister David Cameron sent his wishes to the British Tamil community on Thai Pongal, recognising the positive contribution they make to life in the country.

“I would like to extend my warmest wishes to the British Tamil community who are celebrating Thai Pongal,” said Mr Cameron in a statement released on Friday. “This celebration traditionally gives thanks for a plentiful harvest, and many in the British Tamil community will gather with friends, family and neighbours over the next few days.”