Opposition's anti-Buddhist campaign fails as Maha Sangha support strengthens government

The current government continuing to function strongly despite various crises has created fear among opposition parties that it threatens their political survival, and they responded by trying to plant the slogan that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is hostile to the Buddhist centre, political observers say.

Attempts to strengthen that campaign by canvassing the opinions of the Maha Nayake Theros have met with considerable failure, and opposition ranks led by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa are said to be disappointed. Contrary to what they planned, relations between the Maha Sangha and the government appear to have grown stronger.

To examine the controversial allegations now being raised, village chief prelates and government village representatives are holding discussions, and some monks who had been discontented with the government have come to support it on the basis of accurate information, MP Lakshman Nipunaarachchi said.

He said monks who spoke with him strongly opposed the opposition parties after learning the true situation, and that the anti-Buddhist argument begun by the opposition has now become a source of strength for the government. Ministers also said professionals including traders, doctors, engineers and teachers were praising the Clean Sri Lanka programme.