Minister of Justice and Minister of Buddhasasana Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe emphasized that government would not impose laws on any religion.

He made this observation responding to questions asked by journalists regarding ‘Theravadi Bhikku Kathikawath’ bill at the cabinet press briefing today.

“Government would never impose rules on Buddhist monks. A misapprehension had taken place because of misinterpreting information included in Theravadi Bhikku Dialogue. This bill only legitimizes rules adopted by Mahanayaka Theras in three nikayas”, Rajapakshe pointed out.

The bill was formulated under the guidance and advice of Most Venerable Mahanayake theras of the three nikayas, the Minister said.

“The dialogues drafted by each nikayas would be registered in Ministry of Buddha Sasana. ‘legal power’ means, if a monk violated discipline, chief monks of the particular sect would be given legal power to punish the violator”, Rajapakshe added.

Furthermore, Rajapakshe said that Ministry of Buddha Sasana, in consultation with Mahanayake Theras, was expecting to appoint a five member panel of experts which shall consist of three Buddhist monks, and two attorneys at law who are well informed with the disciplinary rules pertaining to Buddhist bhikkus (Sangha vinaya) for the purpose of examining the Kathikawaths.

The bill seeks to, “provide for the formulation and registration of Kathikawath in relation to Nikaya or Chapters of Theravadi Bhikkhus in Sri Lanka to provide for every bhikkhu to act in compliance with the provisions of the Registered Kathikawath of the Nikaya or Chapter which relates to such bhikku, to impose punishment on bhikkus who act in violation of the provisions of any Registered Kathikawath and for the matters connected therewith or incidental hitherto”.