Government has concealed letter sent by Mahanayake Theras to President, says Champika

13-Aug-2026

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United Republican Front leader and former Minister Champika Ranawaka said that the Government’s concealment of a letter sent by the Mahanayake Theras to the President regarding the Government’s move to extend the retirement age of judges is not only a violation of the Constitution but also a major blow to the country’s culture.

He made these remarks while speaking to the media on August 11, following a meeting of the Joint Opposition chaired by Professor G.L. Peiris to discuss its next course of action regarding the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution published by the Government in the Gazette.

Speaking further, he said the Mahanayake Theras had conveyed their position on the Government’s decision to extend the retirement age of judges and had sent a letter to the President. The Mahanayake Theras had also assured them that such a letter had been sent.

“In such a situation, it is unacceptable for members of the Government to claim that they have not received the letter from the Mahanayake Theras. However, concealing matters is characteristic of this Government. Nothing is transparent. The Government is concealing everything, including the coal scam, the release of 323 containers and the disappearance of US$2.5 million from the Treasury,” he alleged.

He said protecting the Buddha Sasana was the responsibility of the Government and that this was clearly stated in Article 9 of the Constitution.

“In such circumstances, concealing a letter jointly sent by the Mahanayake Theras of this country to the President is not merely a violation of the Constitution; it is also a major blow to the culture of this country. If leaders of another religion had sent such a letter, I do not think President Anura Kumara Dissanayake would have concealed it in this manner. I believe he would have made it public,” he said.

At the same time, the President has stated that no one is above the law. “But only the JVP is above the law. The law is enforced only against those who act against them. Therefore, what is taking place here is politically motivated action rather than action to apprehend thieves. If the Government genuinely wants to catch thieves, it must begin with those responsible for bankrupting the country,” he said.

He also said the Government continues to claim that the people are with it.

“If the people are with the Government, it can hold the Provincial Council elections. But the people are not with the Government. It is because of this fear that the Government is avoiding holding the Provincial Council elections,” he said.