Courtesy Hiru News

The Deputy Chief Prelate of the Malwatta Chapter, Venerable Dimbulkumbure Sri Wimaladhamma Thera, stated that economic development achieved by disregarding religion, morality, culture, civilisation, and history is of no use to a country.

The Venerable Thera expressed these views today (October 5) when the leader of the Janasetha Peramuna, Venerable Battaramulle Silarathana Thera, paid a visit to the Malwatta Maha Viharaya.

During the discussion, the Malwatta Chapter Deputy Chief Prelate warned that if laws are introduced that prevent parents or teachers from even hitting a child who has committed a wrong, the country will inevitably be headed for destruction.

Venerable Wimaladhamma Thera further remarked:

“There is talk now that there are attempts to legalise things like homosexual practices and even prostitution to develop tourism. Furthermore, some Members of Parliament are reportedly saying that children should be allowed to do whatever they want after the age of 16. They are trying to amend the laws for children in the Penal Code. There are attempts to bring in laws that prevent parents and teachers from admonishing, advising, or even giving a hit to a child for a mistake. If this continues, this country will definitely be ruined. This also affects our monastic society. A novice monk studying in a Pirivena will not be able to be reprimanded for a mistake. If the teacher-monk does that, they will end up in prison”

The Deputy Chief Prelate questioned whether the legal practices of some European countries, which show no regard for civilisation, culture, or parents, are needed in a developing country like Sri Lanka.

“If a child makes a mistake, you cannot point it out. A child in a school once cracked a teacher’s head after being corrected, hospitalising the teacher. We also hear that a group of children brought alcohol and cannabis-laced food to school to celebrate World Children’s Day. Now, older children are reportedly taunting teachers, telling them not to dare hit, scold, or reprimand them. That is the situation. If this Act is passed in this manner, it will be the destruction of this country”

Venerable Wimaladhamma Thera concluded by reiterating his belief that the President, being a man of the village, would not consent to bringing in laws that are unnecessary for the country.

However, he noted that a group within the government appears to believe these laws are necessary.

He stressed that the Chief Prelates have already issued statements opposing these situations and that the Sangha community is voicing their concerns before the laws are passed.

“A country is pointless, no matter how developed it becomes, if it forgets culture, morality, religion, and history,” he asserted.