The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, participating in the Committee Stage Debate of the 2025 Budget, over several days we have discussed and expressed views on diverse subjects such as economic development, education, agriculture and industry, and legal reforms.

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, I believe that today, when we speak on the Head of Expenditure of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, is a day to focus on the nation’s spiritual upliftment. Anyone may become rich or poor in economic terms; but if one’s spiritual wealth is lost and cultural foundations collapse, it is far harder to recover from that impoverishment.

¶ 03 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, when we speak of this Ministry, we cannot ignore our country’s proud history. From the day King Vijaya arrived and Sinhala settlements began, and with the advent of Arahant Mahinda, our land was transformed into a Dhammadweepa. Our country’s religious and cultural foundations took root then.

¶ 04 We must never forget that in the struggle against imperialism, all communities and faiths in our country stood together. We recall how Anagarika Dharmapala led the temperance movement, catalyzing a great Buddhist renaissance. Likewise, we remember the monumental services rendered for the Buddhist revival by the Most Venerable Sri Saranankara Sangharaja Thera and the Most Venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera. The establishment of educational institutions such as Maligakanda Vidyodaya Pirivena and Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena, and the Panadura Debate led by Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera, were landmark milestones in that revival.

¶ 05 Col. Henry Steel Olcott disembarked at Galle and commenced the first Dhamma school in Galle at the Vijayananda Pirivena—Hon. Minister, in your and our own Province. We also recall the founding of leading Buddhist schools such as Ananda College in Colombo, Dharmaraja College in Kandy, and Mahinda College in Galle.

¶ 06 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, as heirs to such a history, we must be attentive to what we see and hear today as a nation. In the present context, your Ministry carries a great mandate and a weighty responsibility.

¶ 07 By our Constitution, we are all bound to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while respecting the freedom to practice other religions. Daily we hear reports that the nation’s moral fabric, discipline, and ethical conduct are rapidly eroding. In such a time, bringing society closer to religion and Dhamma deserves even greater attention from this Ministry.

¶ 08 Across the country there are 12,920 Buddhist temples, of which about 10,415 are registered. There are approximately 43,000 Buddhist monks—perhaps somewhat fewer, but certainly not many more. A grave challenge today is the shortage of monks sufficient for the sustained continuity of the Sasana.

¶ 09 Some temples are maintained by a single monk; some have none and have fallen into disuse. Looking to lay devotees, a single monk is often compelled to meet an increasing volume of needs of a large laity. Another problem is that fewer are newly entering the Sasana. Moreover, some ordained monks subsequently disrobe, contributing to this situation.

¶ 10 From the people’s side, devotees face pressures too: the economic hardship and high cost of living make even Dana offerings difficult. In this context, attention from your Ministry is needed to address deficiencies in temples and, in particular, to safeguard pirivena education.

¶ 11 Among many young monks we see remarkable academic ability and enthusiasm for higher education, including strong aptitude. It would be valuable to provide greater opportunities for them to learn not only Sinhala and Pali, but also English and other international languages, enabling them to engage worldwide in Dhamma propagation.

¶ 12 Turning to Dhamma schools: 10,646 Buddhist Dhamma schools operate under 328 Sasanarakshaka Bala Mandalas across 22 districts, with about 123,900 Dhamma school teachers and around 1.8 million children attending every Sunday. Our monks find it difficult to maintain these schools. I request the Hon. Minister to support their development. Many Dhamma schools lack desks, benches, and other facilities; some children study in corners of the temple or even under trees. Please institute a program to assess and address these gaps. If feasible, establish a dedicated Dhamma Schools Fund to extend greater assistance within your term.

¶ 13 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, I will be brief as others await to speak. The Government’s attention should also develop other religious Dhamma schools, since this Ministry serves all religions, not only Buddhism. We are informed there are about 2,000–2,500 Hindu Dhamma schools, roughly 1,600 Islamic (and other faith-related) schools, totaling perhaps 17,000–20,000 Dhamma schools nationwide across all faiths.

¶ 14 Given the present cultural context, allocating more resources in this Budget to religious activities would have been truly valuable. As current funds are distributed among many Dhamma schools, each receives only a small amount. In a period when people must be brought closer to religion and the visibility of religious education is clear, I believe the Government’s focus on cultural and religious affairs should be greater.

¶ 15 We now often hear of lives lost daily due to shootings—one in the morning, again at night, and the next day too—with no apparent limit. Substance abuse is spreading. At funerals in villages we see many victims. Society is becoming steeped in hostility—psychologically inflamed. Therefore, your Ministry has an immense mission to accomplish.

¶ 16 Looking back centuries, in times before extensive laws, courts, and police, society was governed by religious instruction and cultural frameworks. Everything cannot be solved by law alone. Merely sending thousands daily to courts or Kandekadu will not solve these issues. It is time, with the support of religious institutions, to nurture spiritual virtues across the country. I do not see your Ministry as minor; given today’s context, it is among the most crucial Ministries.

¶ 17 Hon. Deputy Chairperson

¶ 18 Hon. Member, you have two more minutes.