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Temple blackout on poya to protest electricity tariff?

20 Sep 2022

  • Monks’ group urges temples to turn off lights on October Vap poya
BY Buddhika Samaraweera   A group of Buddhist monks have requested Buddhist temples islandwide to turn off their lights and leave the temples in darkness on the upcoming Vap Full Moon Poya Day, in protest of the 555% increase in electricity tariffs on places of worship, including Buddhist temples. The Central Provincial Sangha Sabha (Monks Council) of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Sect met on 18 September to discuss the Government’s decision to increase the electricity tariffs on religious places including Buddhist temples by 555%. The monks who participated in the discussion expressed their opposition to the Government’s decision, claiming that many Buddhist temples cannot afford the tariff increase. Speaking to the media after the discussion, the monks said that the temples are unable to turn off the lights when lay folk come and perform rituals such as Bodhi Pooja (a Buddhist ritual). They charged that the electricity tariff hike could be a conspiracy to keep temples in the dark during the upcoming katina (Buddhist ritual) season and Vesak and Poson seasons. The Buddhist monks also said that they would request the temples across the country to turn off all the lights and leave the temples in darkness on the upcoming Poya Day to protest against the Government's decision to increase the electricity tariff and the views expressed by Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera in that regard. Meanwhile, speaking to The Morning, Rajopawanaramaya, Getambe Temple Chief Incumbent Ven. Keppitiyagoda Sirivimala Thera said that due to the economic crisis in the country, the income received by religious places including Buddhist temples has decreased at present. He mentioned that the temples located in rural areas are especially rendered helpless due to the increase in electricity tariffs, and said that the Government should take steps to reduce the electricity tariffs as much as possible. Furthermore, in response to statements that have been made by certain Buddhist monks that they will stop using loudspeakers in temples in protest against the increase in electricity tariffs, posts were seen on social media platforms saying that stopping the use of loudspeakers would be a very good decision. Claiming that most religious places are unable to bear the recent 555% increase in electricity tariffs, Sri Bodhiraja Temple, Embilipitiya Chief Incumbent Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera said recently that it seems as if the Government is “punishing” religious places with the move to increase electricity tariffs. For instance, he said, the electricity tariff of the Sri Bodhiraja Temple in Embilipitiya, which houses about 75 Buddhist monks who are still studying, has risen from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 300,750. Meanwhile, speaking to The Morning earlier, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayaka said that he had discussed the revision of electricity tariffs of religious places with Wijesekera on several occasions. He said that even after the tariff revision, the charge for a unit of electricity used at religious places remains at a lower rate, compared to the charge for the same at other places. He also said that he hopes to discuss the matter further with the Ministry of Power and Energy. In addition, he said that the Ministry has planned to implement a programme to provide solar panel systems to religious places, including Buddhist temples.  


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