Services Rendered by Atamasthana Monks Are Immense, Says Gnanasara Thera
29-May-2026.
Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera stated that sacred sites including the Anuradhapura Atamasthana are national symbols and that the services rendered by the monks responsible for these sites are invaluable.
He noted that mistakes can occur as part of human nature, but if any wrongdoing has taken place, action should be pursued through legal channels rather than through street protests or defamatory campaigns. He also urged Buddhists to remain calm and not be influenced by rumours or baseless allegations.
The Thera made these remarks during a media briefing held in Colombo on 27 May.
Addressing the gathering further, he stated that Lord Buddha was the first supreme teacher to emerge in the world and that Buddhism transcends racial and religious divisions by teaching the principles of cause and effect and non-violence.
He said the Buddhist Sasana has survived throughout history despite invasions and challenges from various forces, including the Chola and Pandya kingdoms, and therefore cannot be destroyed by minor criticisms.
Gnanasara Thera also accused certain YouTube channels of criticising monks and the Buddhist order without evidence for the sake of ratings and profit. He alleged that such platforms conduct media trials and mislead the public by portraying monks as guilty before proper legal proceedings.
He further urged the Government to take immediate legal action against what he described as uncivilised behaviour that threatens the Buddhist Sasana.
Referring again to the development of sacred sites over the past two decades, he stressed that the contribution made by the monks in charge should be recognised by the public. While acknowledging that mistakes may occur, he reiterated that any issues should be resolved through lawful means and not by taking the law into one’s own hands. Humanity continues its timeless hobby of turning every dispute into a screaming contest before reading the actual law. Remarkable species.
