President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the people have shown the need to change the traditional political system following the results of the Presidential Election. He said that the public have rejected the slander and fears that were created about his team, confirming that these were merely baseless rumours.
The President said so when he visited the headquarters of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Wellawatte yesterday (October 5) and received the blessings from the Acting Maha Nayaka, Most Ven. Karagoda Uyangoda Maithri Murthi Maha Nayaka Thera of the Amarapura Nikaya. The Nayaka Theras of the Secretariat of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya also invoked blessings on the President.
The Chief Prelate and the senior Theras also praised the example set by the President and his team, especially during the post-election period, where they ensured no violent incidents or disturbances.
During the discussion, the Chief Prelate stressed the need to build a strong state by maximising the use of the country’s resources. He said that only then could Sri Lanka rise as an independent nation on the global stage.
The President said that the current period, with a General Election already announced, is a politically transitional time. He expressed his intention to accelerate progress on key tasks with full Parliamentary power following the election.
The Maha Sangha said during the last Presidential Election, certain groups attempted to organise campaigns against the current President by using religion as a tool, but those accusations have now been proven false. However, the Maha Sangha asked the President to remain vigilant as similar smear campaigns may arise in the future.
During the discussion, the Maha Sangha inquired about the possibility of a new Constitution, to which the President said that he hopes to introduce a new Constitution and added that it will only be done following discussions and a referendum.
President Dissanayake said that the previous Governments implemented Constitutional amendments without public consensus. He also pledged to present a Constitutional amendment that meets the aspirations of the people, after stabilising the country to some extent.
The President visited the headquarters of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, Narahenpita yesterday and met the Chief Prelate, Most Ven. Makulewe Wimala Nayaka Thera, Aggamaha Panditha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and received his blessings.
The President engaged in a brief discussion with the Chief Prelate and the Maha Sangha regarding the current economic, social and political situation in the country.
During the discussion, the bhikkhus said that when appointing Ambassadors and High Commissioners, the President should ensure that qualified and intelligent persons who can properly represent the country abroad are selected. Similarly, they called for the appointment of responsible persons, sans political considerations, for the positions of Governors.
The Maha Sangha also said that when appointing Secretaries to Ministries, the President should choose suitable persons for the respective roles.
President Dissanayake said that his goal is to make all decisions in line with the policies outlined in his manifesto. He said that he plans to introduce the relevant reforms after the upcoming General Election.
Most Ven. Makulewe Wimala Nayaka Thera also expressed confidence that the trust placed in the President and his team by the people during the last Presidential Election will be fulfilled, and that the blessings of the Sangha are with him to help realise the aspirations of the public.
