The objectives of the Tamil diaspora organisation group, the Global Tamil Forum’s (GTF) efforts in the implementation of the “Joint Himalaya Declaration” that it has formulated together with a group of Buddhist monks in order to build up a pluralistic society, are imprecise, yet the Buddhist clergy will support it if something progressive will take place, said the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect. 

Last week, the GTF delegation and a number of high-profile Buddhist monks presented the “Joint Himalaya Declaration”, which advocates for a pluralistic Sri Lanka, to President and Minister of National Policies Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Against this backdrop, the Siam Sect’s Asgiri Chapter’s Supreme Sangha (Buddhist clergy) Council’s Secretary Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera yesterday (18) told The Daily Morning that the Asgiri Chapter will not obstruct any efforts which are being taken to restore national harmony and reconciliation, and that therefore, the said declaration will also be supported by the chapter in spite of the parties who drafted it, only if it does not harm the coexistence and territorial integrity of the country. 

However, the Thera said that the objectives of the said declaration were not quite clear, and that hence, the authorities must look into the declaration and the purpose behind it, before implementing it. Dhammananda Thera also said that the Asgiri Chapter is hopeful that something good will take place with the same and also noted that the chapter would not like to make any assumptions regarding the consequences of the particular declaration. He noted that they (the monks) would support it if it really works for building up a pluralistic Sri Lanka, which is the main objective as per the parties who drafted it. 

Last week, when contacted by The Daily Morning, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Secretary Somaratne Vidanapathirana said that the Ministry had no connection with the parties who signed the particular declaration and also said that the Ministry is yet to receive the detailed declaration. 

The GTF delegation and the group of high-profile Buddhist monks held audiences with the Chief Prelates of the Asgiri and Malwathu Chapters of the Siam Sect and the Archbishop of Colombo last week. In addition, they met former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Maithripala Sirisena – the latter two who are Parliamentarians at present; incumbent Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana; and MPs. 

According to the President’s Media Division, the “Joint Himalaya Declaration” – a collaborative effort between the GTF and the said Buddhist delegation – advocates for a pluralistic Sri Lanka that actively promotes the wellbeing of all its communities. While emphasising the importance of learning from the nation’s historical missteps, the declaration underscores the necessity for implementing measures that ensure accountability.

Several attempts made by The Daily Morning to contact Tamil National Alliance Opposition MPs, President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran and Shanakiyan Rasamanickam in this regard, proved futile.