The Hon. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I have a Ministry statement and an update relevant to the Government of Sri Lanka. By now, all of us are aware of the sudden tragic accident last night at the “Na Uyana” Theravada Buddhist Monastery in Melsiripura, Pannala. Owing to this accident, seven venerable monks have unfortunately passed away and six others have been injured; two are currently in the Intensive Care Unit.

¶ 02 First and foremost, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka and the entire Parliament, we express our profound sorrow and condolences for the passing of the seven venerable monks. Of the seven, four are Sri Lankan bhikkhus and three are foreign monks: Venerable Malwanegama Samiddhi Thero, Venerable Nawlapitiye Uttarananda Thero, Venerable Nugegoda Vipassi Thero and Venerable Udawalawae Santhasumana Thero are the Sri Lankan monks; Venerable Dhammaransi Thero (Romanian), Venerable Dhamarakkhita Thero (Russian) and Venerable Dhammagavesi Thero (Indian) are the foreign monks.

¶ 03 The Chief Incumbent of the Na Uyana Theravada Buddhist Meditation Centre and Forest Monastery is the Most Venerable Agulgamuwe Ariyananda Maha Thero. From the moment we received this information, we intervened. My State Minister, Hon. Gamagedara Disanayaka, proceeded to the location. The North Western Province Governor, the Provincial Health Secretary and relevant doctors acted promptly. Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne also extended assistance.

¶ 04 We also need support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I spoke to Minister Arun Hemachandra because the Chief Monk of Na Uyana has requested guidance and permission from the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conduct the funeral rites for the three foreign monks in Sri Lanka. Those arrangements are being coordinated.

¶ 05 We must all pray for the speedy recovery of the injured venerable monks. A committee regarding the funeral arrangements will meet tonight at 7.00 p.m., and we expect to participate. As the Government, we will extend the highest respect and necessary intervention. Once again, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, this Parliament and our Ministry, I express our deepest sorrow and sympathy for all the venerable monks who passed away. Thank you.