National Organizer of Sarvajana Balaya and former minister Dilum Amunugama has come under severe criticism on social media following remarks he made while speaking on the arrest and detention of an Atamasthanadhipathi Thera.

Speaking at a media briefing, Amunugama claimed that, according to information received by the party, the arrest had been made based on a statement by a sex worker.

“As we heard, the Atamasthanadhipathi Thera has been arrested based on the statement made by a prostitute,” he said.

Social media users questioned Amunugama’s statement, pointing out that reports linked to the matter involve a 15-year-old child and raising concerns over the language used by the former minister.

Several users questioned how a minor could be described in such terms, with many arguing that public figures should exercise greater responsibility and sensitivity when referring to children, particularly in cases involving serious allegations.

The remarks triggered criticism online, with users accusing Amunugama of making an inappropriate and insensitive characterization. (Newswire)

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The Atamasthanadhipathi of Sri Lanka, the Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayake Thera, met His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the world-renowned icon of universal compassion, on Tuesday (20 Jan). 

According to the Satipatthana Magazine, the historic meeting marks a watershed moment in the centuries-old relationship between Indo-Tibetan and Sri Lankan Buddhist traditions, the Satipatthana Magazine said, noting that it is the first time in recorded history that the spiritual heads of these two preeminent lineages have met in such a capacity, drawing the attention of the global Buddhist community.

The Weight of Tradition

The position of Atamasthanadhipathi carries immense prestige within the Buddhist world. By ancient royal decree, Sri Lanka recognizes three supreme pillars of Buddhist heritage: Sri Dalada Maligawa (The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic), Sri Pada (The Sacred Footprint), and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. As the custodian of the Eight Sacred Places (Atamasthana) in Anuradhapura, the Atamasthanadhipathi holds a position of profound spiritual and legal authority.

The meeting between the guardian of Sri Lanka’s most ancient living heritage and the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people signifies a powerful unification of the Pali and Sanskrit Buddhist traditions.

Fulfilling a Lifelong Aspiration

Adding a layer of deep emotional significance to the visit, the Most Venerable Thero presented His Holiness with a sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.

For decades, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed a profound desire to perform a pilgrimage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura—the oldest historically documented tree in the world, grown from a branch of the original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment. While past circumstances prevented such a journey, the arrival of this authentic sapling brings the spirit of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi directly to His Holiness, fulfilling a long-held aspiration.

A Living Legacy

The sacred sapling was scheduled to be planted on Wednesday (21 Jan) during a grand ceremony at the Buddhist University within the Gaden Jangtse Monastery complex. The event was scheduled to be conducted with full monastic honours and attended by tens of thousands of Tibetan monastics and devotees from across India and abroad.

This “Green Diplomacy” initiative stands as a testament to the enduring bond between the people of Sri Lanka and India, ensuring that the roots of the Dhamma continue to grow deep and wide for generations to come. (Newswire/ Satipatthana Magazine)

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