A country cannot progress through laws, regulations alone – President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that a country cannot progress solely through laws and regulations and highlighted that tradition is a vital component of a nation.

President Dissanayake emphasised that Sri Lanka has accomplished a remarkable mission through the traditions built on Buddhism and that it is the responsibility of everyone to safeguard these Buddhist traditions and pass them down securely to future generations.

The President expressed these views during a discussion at the Presidential Secretariat on the 74th Upasampada Vinaya Karma’ ceremony of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya held yesterday (22).

The President, recalling the historical significance of the Upasampada Vinaya Karma, a major ceremony in Buddhism, stated that the cessation of ordained monks (Upasampada Bhikkhus) would mean the dissolution of the Buddhist institution itself. He emphasised the importance of preserving these ancient traditions and carrying them forward with honour.

The national Upasampada Vinaya Karma ceremony, organised biennially by the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, is scheduled to take place from June 30 to July 5, 2025, at the Punyawardhanarama Viharaya in Vijithapura, Palugaswewa. This ceremony, which will ordain over 250 novice monks (Samanera), will be conducted under state sponsorship.

As the government considers the national Upasampada Vinaya Karma ceremony, which is held every two years, a dignified task, the President instructed officials to ensure that all necessary facilities are provided without any shortcomings.

The discussion was attended by prominent figures, including the Most Venerable Makulewe Wimala Mahanayake Thera, the highest prelate of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya of the Sangha ancestry of Mahavihara; Most Venerable Prof. Aththangane Rathanapala Nayaka Thera, Supreme Judicial Leader of Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya; the Anunayaka Theras, Most Venerable Waleboda Gunasiri Thera and Most Ven.Ankumbure Premavansa Thera; along with the Maha Sangha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage; North Central Province Governor Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri;Ramanna Nikayarakshaka Sabha Chairman and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya; Ramanna Nikayarakshaka Sabha Secretary and former MP Lasantha Alagiyawanna among others.

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