The Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology

¶ 01 Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to speak on the Heads of Expenditure of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. Our island has a recorded indigenous population, often referred to as the Vedda people. For over 2,500 years our country has been nourished by Buddhist ethics, while other religions—Muslim, Hindu, Christian—also exist. Our culture is a synthesis shaped by Buddhism together with other religions. Culture changes over time; it is not static. We are not moving toward an abyss or a culture of killing; we progress ethically.

¶ 02 Religion often comes to us from our parents. People also have the right to change religion. Every child has the right to learn their own religion in school, including in government schools. At times this right is not realized everywhere. Our policy is to ensure each child can study their chosen religion at school.

¶ 03 Law and tradition alone cannot produce ethical living; religion also plays a role, together forming society and culture. However, in our political history, religion and ethnicity have been used as political weapons. I do not wish to speak at length on the Easter attacks, but they were a politically influenced event—political assassination—with political figures and officials involved. Nearly six years have passed and justice has not been delivered to the victims. Proper investigation is required; partial investigations will free the guilty. Under our Government, the Police Ministry will properly investigate, consolidate evidence, and refer cases to the Attorney General.

¶ 04 A Presidential Commission of Inquiry was appointed on the Easter attacks, money was spent, and yet reports were shelved for six years. That itself shows political influence. We pledge to deliver true justice to the victims under our Government. This cannot be done in one or two months, but steps will be taken within this month. Final identification of masterminds may take more time. Demonstrations will continue until there is a final resolution.

¶ 05 Our NPP policy proposes an inter-religious council comprising heads and scholars of all religions to resolve inter-religious issues. We prioritize Dharma over organized religion used as a weapon. We also propose comparative studies of world religions to foster liberative perspectives and inter-religious harmony.

¶ 06 This year, Rs. 270 million has been allocated for the development of Christian affairs (up from Rs. 160 million in 2023). For all religions combined, Rs. 14,025 million has been allocated. Religion matters to us, and Dharma matters even more.

¶ 07 Regarding Madhu Church, visited by Sinhala and Tamil alike, I suggest designating it as a centre for peace and harmony. On constitutional reform, while necessary, our immediate, bigger problem is the economy. For a new Constitution to work, mindsets in both North and South must change; otherwise it will fail. We seek national and religious harmony under such conditions.