The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda

¶ 01 Sir, I am very grateful for the opportunity given.

¶ 02 Today, at the Committee Stage, we debate the Heads of Expenditure of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Environment. I believe that, as a society, discussing these subjects now is more timely than ever. At such a timely moment, we speak on these Heads.

¶ 03 Sir, the reason I say so is that today we see shootings here and there; killings here and there; a society where people are fearful of life and death. Instead of compassion and kindness, anger and hatred are being sown. At a time when we hear and see such things more and more, we discuss these Heads.

¶ 04 Today, for political desires, to seize power, hatred and anger are being spread within society. Politics is being done by creating enmity among human society. Therefore, Sir, I believe the best solution is to subject society to pure religious teachings, to make people reflect on them. I wish to emphasize that. The State too should directly be involved with society and religious culture.

¶ 05 Whether they are Buddhist viharas, Christian churches, Islamic mosques or Hindu kovils, we must inquire whether this Budget has allocated funds to address their deficiencies and physical issues. We must also ask whether there is any provision to provide facilities to children in Dhamma schools. I must note that in this Budget document we do not see sufficient State support for these aspects.

¶ 06 We listened to the President’s Budget Speech. In that speech, we did not see any special interest or praiseworthy response in the Budget towards religious and cultural matters. However, whether in Government or Opposition, we have worked with firm belief in the spiritual and moral values of society.

¶ 07 Sir, Chapter II of our Constitution, the supreme law of the land, sets out the place given to Buddhism and the rights afforded to other religions. When speaking about those rights, this is an opportunity to raise certain problematic issues emerging in society.

¶ 08 One such issue is the problem concerning the historic Tissa Viharaya in Jaffna. There is still no proper solution to the land issue of this very ancient heritage site, Sir. The 1956 urban planning map records the Tissa Viharaya in Jaffna. The Government must especially act to protect that Buddhist heritage for the faithful of this country. There are unauthorized occupants around that temple, and various forged documents have been produced to regularize those occupations. Therefore, I especially request that the Government intervene, have a special committee inquire, provide alternative lands to those unauthorized occupants elsewhere, and resolve the issue connected to the Tissa Viharaya in Jaffna.

¶ 09 Likewise, I must speak about our Kurundi Viharaya located in Mullaitivu. This morning, a Tamil Hon. Member spoke about it, and I agreed. What we raise is not only about Buddhist temples; it is equally about Hindu kovils, Islamic mosques and other religious places. Solving such issues in society is a Government responsibility. Excavations of the image house at Kurundi Viharaya were carried out recently, but have now been halted by a court order, even though the site is one with Buddhist heritage and the boundaries have been demarcated legally by the Survey Department. Certain Northern politicians, to advance their politics, highlight certain matters at Buddhist temple sites. Therefore, it is important that the Government prevents these issues from dragging on and resolves them.

¶ 10 In our Northern Province, around 600 archaeological sites have been identified. Those sites should be gazetted as archaeological reserves, given legal protection, and their values preserved as the heritage of the children of this country and as part of our culture and historical sites. The Government bears that responsibility.

¶ 11 I must also mention our Sapumalgaskada Viharaya in Chauwniya. During the tenure of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, road development to that temple commenced, but has now been halted. I especially request that the remaining work be completed with due attention.

¶ 12 Moving away from that, I must speak about Dhamma schools. Today, teachers—men and women—who voluntarily provide religious education to Dhamma school children are not adequately recognized for their service. They receive only about Rs. 5,000 per year. The Government should value them, encourage them further, and if possible increase the annual allowance to Rs. 20,000 so they can perform better.

¶ 13 Speaking now on the Environment Ministry’s Head of Expenditure, we cannot ignore environmental problems in our country. The Budget allocations for environment and waste management are not sufficient. We saw that funds are allocated for waste management in Anuradhapura. But there are issues regarding the amounts allocated to other areas as well. Today, in Galle, Hambantota, Colombo and elsewhere, there are problems with solid waste management.

¶ 14 We remember that during our Government, we established a large waste yard and recycling centre centered on Monroviawatta in Galle. It is functioning well, but issues too exist. It would be good to implement its second phase. There, biodegradable waste is composted to generate income, but the issue of non-biodegradable waste remains unresolved. Introducing scientific methods to address that would be valuable. We cannot take the waste issue lightly; we must change society’s view on waste, include relevant subject matter in school curricula to raise awareness among students, and take waste management forward as a social movement to build a better environment in the future.

¶ 15 During our administrations, we created very beautiful urban spaces; built environmental parks; jogging tracks; and provided a platform for people to live their lives with mental well-being in good surroundings. Beyond conservation, if we can build an environment where a child, a mother, a father can live freely with nature, that is valuable.

¶ 16 I must also mention a specific problem regarding garbage in the Galle District. At Mahamodara, at a site of the Municipal Council, very irregular dumping is taking place. However, I saw that some funds have been allocated in your Budget document for it. It would be good if those works are carried out scientifically because that garbage is being collected at a place with a very sensitive environment.

¶ 17 Finally, I conclude with this thought that has often been discussed: when a righteous king arises in a righteous society, what does the country gain? As the Government and society become righteous, rains fall in due season; fields are bountiful; prosperity arises; and all beings are filled with happiness. Therefore, when a righteous ruler is appointed, we believe we will receive those blessings. I end with a prayerful verse:

¶ 18 “Let timely rains fall; may harvests be bountiful; may beings be happy; may the King be righteous.”

¶ 19 Sir, ours is a multi-religious, multicultural country where all live together. I believe the present Government will protect religious coexistence and the religious environment. Especially in Galle, Muslims, Sinhalese, Christians, Hindus all live together. There are no religious divisions among us; we are culturally bound. That cultural bond, that brotherhood, that affection has never been broken. Therefore, if anyone speaks of racism or religious extremism, and elevates or demeans communities, they do so only for their political journey. If we can give due dignity and value to all communities equally, that is what is valuable.