Ven. Galaboda Aththe Gnasassara thera leader of the controversial Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) met the The Chief Prelate of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siam Sect Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera as well as the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect, Most Ven. Warakagoda Dhammasiddi Pnangananda Gunaratane Thera last night to hand over a letter stating 22 acts or incidents that are being conducted against Buddhism.
The group called for the Chief Prelate to call for a meeting with the remaining sectors and to discuss the stated issues and then make recommendations to the President and the Prime Minister based on their findings. Malwathu Chapter of the Siam Sect Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero had responded to the demands saying that he will issue a respond within two weeks time.
According to a media spokesperson of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), several organizations including the BBS with common interest had created a main organization named ‘Sasanarakshaka Sabah’ loosely translating as a body to protect the Buddhist Sasana.
The gathering held a protest march starting from the Getambe area to Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic where an Adishtana pooja was held.
The crowd subsequently attempted to meet the Mahanayake of theMalwathu Chapter of the Siam Sect, Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera, where they met with closed gates and police.
However, after much persuasion Ven. Galaboda Aththe Gnasassara Thera and other theras were allowed to enter the premises and meet the Chief Prelate of the Malwathu Chapter, after which only three other Theras headed by Ven. Galaboda Aththe Gnasassara thero met with the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect, Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera to convey the same message, said a media spokesperson for the BBS.