“Yelasiya Abiman” Celebration held under President’s Patronage
We seek the support of the Maha Sangha, as well as everyone else, to protect the future generation from the menace of dangerous drugs — President
There exists a spiritual bond between the village and the temple and the role of the monk in restoring society, the heritage and responsibility of the monastic lineage, is once again needed in this society, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated.
President Dissanayake made these remarks yesterday afternoon (02), while addressing the “Yelasiya Abiman” anniversary celebration held at the Kelaniya Vidyalankara International Buddhist Conference Hall.
Established on 1 November 1875 by Bodhisattva Gunopetha Most Venerable Ratmalane Sri Dharmaloka Thero, the Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena today stands as one of the foremost centres of Buddhist education in the country.
This year marks 150 years since the foundation of the Vidyalankara Pirivena. Throughout its long history, the service it has rendered to the country, the nation, the religion, the Dhamma and linguistic studies is immeasurable. While providing the necessary education for monks seeking the traditional scholarly qualifications focused on Sinhala, Pali, Sanskrit and Buddhist teachings, it also offers knowledge in modern information technology as well as English.
During the event, the new website of the Vidyalankara Pirivena was inaugurated by the President. The “Yelasiya Abiman” scholarly volume and the commemorative publication were also presented to the President.
Honorary titles were conferred upon the Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maitrimurthi Thero, Mahanayaka of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya, the Most Venerable Makulewe Vimala Thero, Mahanayaka of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Most Venerable Katugastota Uparatana Nayaka Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Washington D.C. Maryland Vihara (USA).
In addition, senior actor Ravindra Randeniya and retired Senior Professor Darshana Rathnayake also received honorary titles at this ceremony.
The President also participated in awarding certificates to those who successfully completed the Vidyalankara final examinations.
Addressing the event, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake further expressed the following views:
“This Vidyalankara Pirivena can be described as the centre of modern education in our country. From its beginnings as the Vidyalankara Maha Shastralaya, it has rendered an invaluable service to the field of education until it transformed into an Eastern university.
It is blessed by great monks who fulfilled immense social responsibilities. Not only in the education sector, but also in producing disciplined monks essential for our villages, Vidyalankara Pirivena has carried out a tremendous role. It became the central institution for producing teachers for the pirivena education system existing in our villages. It is a centre dedicated to researching the philosophical foundation of Buddhism and to discovering what is correct.
The Vidyalankara Pirivena is not only a major centre of education for our country, but it also educates foreign students as well. In the 1940s, when the Buddhist clergy began to stand up against the anti-people policies of the then rulers, a new category called the ‘political monk’ was created to undermine the groups of monks who led that awakening. Thus, a distinction emerged, on the one hand, a monastic lineage shaped by the Dhamma taught by the Buddha, and on the other, a group ridiculed and scorned as political monks. The Sangha tradition in our country is deeply connected with our society. Their social activism caused those in power, who implemented anti-social policies, to view them as adversaries.
On 14 March 1946, a historic declaration titled the Vidyalankara Pirivena Declaration on ‘the monk and politics’ was issued. It marked a significant turning point regarding the social role of the monk. It clearly stated that if a State is in decline and if the economy is in decline, then the impact on Buddhism cannot be avoided; and therefore, if there are programmes that ensure the welfare of the people, monks should engage in them. regardless of whether politics is involved, provided their monastic life remains untainted.
In my view, this provided wise guidance to our monks. Through this declaration, the false accusations directed at monks were decisively countered. This dialogue continued alongside the Free Education Act. The major mobilisation led by Vidyalankara Pirivena in support of free education helped achieve a significant victory.
An article published in Kaalaya magazine in 1947 stated:
‘From the moment this declaration was made and until very recent times, powerful lay and monastic individuals, who exploited the poor in the name of religion, made various attempts to abolish the pirivena. They tried to destroy this institution to suppress the rising consciousness of the Sangha. However, none of these efforts succeeded. Every attempt to level and bury Vidyalankara Pirivena ended in failure.’
As Kaalaya magazine pointed out, even today Vidyalankara Pirivena stands as a great centre that brings benefit to the Sangha and to society. One hundred and fifty years is a long history. It is natural for any institution or enterprise over 150 years to face many challenges. Likewise, it is extremely difficult for any institution to sustain itself for 150 years with the same vision, same objective and same determination. Yet this great Vidyalankara Pirivena has remained strong for 150 years, performing an immense role for Buddhism, for society and for the monastic community. This historic responsibility now rests upon the shoulders of the present Chief Incumbent and our venerable monks. We hold a firm hope and confidence that they will fulfil this duty successfully. We extend our best wishes to them.
The construction work of a building of this pirivena, which began in 2005, has remained stagnant for 20 years. What sort of country are we living in? If it takes 20 years to build and open a building in a country with advanced technology and industrial knowledge, one can understand how much confusion we live in. Compare the cost estimates then and now, at minimum, the estimate would have increased fivefold. This is public tax money. When the outcome of spending in 2005 is only seen in 2025, we have not done justice to public funds.
As a government, we are striving to address the inefficiencies, entanglements and disorder within the State mechanism.
Regarding the completion of this building, Minister Hiniduma Sunil submitted a cabinet paper. A large building has been constructed but electricity could not be obtained; some copper wires had been removed; the walls had discoloured. We discussed the solutions to these problems. Even after allocating funds swiftly, there remained a problem in obtaining electricity. Why were the wires cut and stolen? This was not done by people living miles away. Those responsible are those living around here.
It is also these very people who best understand the historical heritage, responsibility and importance of this pirivena. Yet if even a piece of wire cannot remain safe in such a noble place, what does that say about the condition of our country?
The main reason behind this is drugs. We have had to deploy the STF to protect the wiring along the Katunayake Expressway. Batteries installed for electric fences in the villages are stolen as well. Therefore, we must pay attention to the drug menace behind the theft of the extensive wiring that was here. As a government, we bear an unavoidable responsibility in this regard.
We will bring to an end the battle we are waging against drugs. This drug menace has spread into areas we would never have imagined. There may be political differences and ideological divisions regarding this crisis. However, everyone must unite to put a stop to this catastrophe.
The historic bond between the village and the temple must not be broken. When we make a mistake, it is the village monk whom we turn to. There exists a spiritual link and a heritage between the village and the temple. The role of the monk is once again essential for this society. Whenever this nation has faced danger, the Buddhist clergy have always stepped forward.
How much have they done for the country, for the nation and for the wellbeing of the people? The revered monks travelled village to village, house to house, compassionate to both rich and poor alike. Such monks must come forward again to restore our country. I respectfully invite you to intervene in this effort.”
Attending this event were, the Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Chief Prelate of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, Most Venerable Dr Ittapane Dhammalankara Thero, Chief Incumbent and Director of the Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena, Chief Sangha Nayake of Colombo and Chilaw, Most Venerable Welamitiyawe Sri Ñānaratana Thero, along with the Maha Nayaka Theros and Anunayaka Theros of the three Nikayas and members of the Maha Sangha.
Also in attendance were Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, several Ministers, MPs, local political representatives, ambassadors and many others.
