Response from Sunil Watagala to the Allegations by Ven. Kassapa Thera
Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala, stated that Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera would not be able to achieve his hidden objectives by making false statements to the media about him.
The Deputy Minister further said that he had never personally contacted Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera by telephone, nor had he sent any representative to do so.
Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera, who was remanded in custody on January 14 in connection with the Trincomalee Buddha statue incident, was released on bail by the court on the 11th, after spending 28 days in remand prison.
Yesterday (12), the monk held a special media briefing and made several revelations. During this briefing, he claimed that representatives of the government had pressured him and other monks involved in the incident.
Commenting on these statements, Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala said:
“It is the respected Buddhist monks themselves who teach us the verse ‘Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami’ (I undertake the precept to abstain from false speech). Ven. Kassapa Thera knows very well that this is a complete lie.”
Critical Question Raised
This is the same monk who was remanded by the courts for inciting racial tensions in Trincomalee. While in remand prison, he reportedly said that he was treated well by Tamil and Muslim inmates.
If that is the case, why does he continue to spread racial hatred and promote ethnic hostility?
Will the NPP government take firm and decisive action against monks who deliberately attempt to create division among Sri Lanka’s ethnic communities?
Or will religious robes continue to be used as a shield for those who undermine social harmony and national unity?