Govt to Amend Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance to Enforce Monastic Discipline 🏛️

• Legal & Institutional Reforms: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced plans to amend the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance No. 19 of 1931 (Vihara and Devalagam Act) at the request of the Mahanayake Theras. The government aims to re-establish a 'Dharmadhikaranaya', a body authorized to handle disciplinary matters concerning Buddhist monks. • Context of Reforms: The announcement follows rising public discourse over high-profile allegations of illegal activities involving members of the clergy, including child abuse, illegal land encroachment, and drug smuggling. Because Buddhism enjoys State patronage, a higher burden of discipline is expected. • Historical Precedent: The breakdown of discipline in Sri Lanka's monastic order is historically recurring. In 1697 and 1753, the monastic order nearly collapsed, requiring interventions from Burma and Siam to re-establish Upasampada (higher ordination). • Challenges & Implementation: Previous attempts to amend the colonial-era ordinance failed due to a lack of consensus among the clergy. While Parliament can enact laws, experts note that government intervention may face opposition from some sections of the clergy and public, emphasizing that true adherence to the Vinaya Piṭaka (monastic rules) must ultimately come from within the monastic orders themselves.