A group of Buddhist monks today surrounded a religious institution in Embilipitiya, alleging that it was carrying out religious conversions under the guise of healing illnesses.
The monks, led by Venerable Omalpe Sobhitha Thera, said a complaint had been filed with the relevant police station yesterday against the institution.
Speaking to police officers who arrived at the scene, the monks said they could not allow the institution to continue operating in the area.
Sobhitha Thera urged the officers to act in accordance with the Constitution, which affords Buddhism the foremost place.
Police officers, however, pointed out that the Constitution also guarantees freedom of religion and the right to practice a religion of one’s choice. They said preventing a person from exercising that right could amount to a violation of fundamental rights.
Sobhitha Thera responded that practices involving healing without referring patients to hospitals had resulted in deaths in several parts of the country. He cited several cases in support of his claim, which said were reported in the media.
Police officers assured the monks that the institution and its practices would be investigated based on the complaint and that appropriate action would be taken following the investigation.
The monks also stressed that people seeking religious or spiritual support for illnesses should obtain proper medical advice and treatment rather than rely solely on claims of miraculous cures.
“What certification have they been given to heal people with sickness? When people do not recover from illnesses, they also come to the temple seeking healing and cures. But do we ask them not to take medicine? We conduct Bodhi pooja, Pirith sermons and blessings, but we also ask them to take medicine,” Sobhitha Thera said.
The monks further alleged that organizations engaged in such healing practices receive financial support from international organizations. They called for such practices to be investigated and said they should not be allowed to continue without proper oversight. (Newswire)