The Anunayake of the Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thera says if a person or an organisation tries to instigate people against the State while misusing the freedom they have got through the democratic governance, a legally appointed Government should take measures, including bringing new laws to curb such attempts.
He said a Government cannot stay idle in the face of such conspiracies which may disrupt the governance of the country.
The Thera noted the above during a discussion with a group of members from the newly formed Nidahas Janatha Sabhawa including Parliamentarians Dullas Alahapperuma, Prof. G. L. Peiris, Dilan Perera, Wasantha Yapa Bandara, Udayana Kirindigoda and former Municipal Councilor E. Ananda Sanath Kumara. The group visited the Asgiri Maha Viharaya yesterday (20).
This group visited Kandy to inform both Malwathu and Asgiri Mahanayake Theras regarding the possible dangers of the new Anti-Terrorism Bill (ATB) slated to be presented to Parliament shortly.
After calling on the Mahanayake of the Malwathu Chapter, Alahapperuma and his group went to the Asgiri Maha Viharaya and received blessings from the Asgiriya Mahanayake Thera.
Ven. Anamaduve Dhammadassi Thera, Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera and Ven. Godagama Mangala Thera also participated in the discussion.
The Anunaya Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter further said that it is the responsibility of the people’s political representatives to present facts in Parliament and also inform the people about matters if there are any adverse effects on the country due to the new Bill.
He said that there is no argument that the freedom of speech and expression as well as democracy should be protected but if some people misuse such freedom for unscrupulous gains, then problems could arise.
The Thera further stated that by misusing freedom in the guise of democratic rights, various crises can arise putting the Government and the people in difficulty. In such instances, the Government will have to introduce new laws to control such situations.
He also recalled that those who represent the Opposition today had brought various laws and regulations based on the needs of the country when they were in the ruling party.
The Thera further said that if any laws harm the people’s freedom and democracy, action should be taken against but added it was not appropriate to make a statement on the new Bill without properly studying it.
He stated that if there are any deficiencies in this Act, the primary responsibility for dealing with them lies with the members represented in Parliament and since the Maha Sangha does not represent the Parliament, they can only comment on it.