Drastic changes in Buddhist Temporalities Act soon

There is to be drastic changes in the Buddhist Temporalities Act according to the draft Act that is now in circulation. There had been changes since the first Act was brought into force in 1905.or even earlier by the British in order to safeguard the Devales and the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

It had been suggested that a 75 to 95 member electorate would select the Basnayake Nilames, according to the Act. However, it was not very clear as to the electorate of the Diyawadana Nilame.

The draft Buddhist Temporalities Act was presented to the President last year by the Mahanayke of the Asgiriya Chapter. A Committee composed of the Two Mahanayakes, the senior most Basnayake Nilame of Pattini Devale, Rohan Paranagama and an Attorney Upali Bogahapitiya, who is well versed in

After the Public Trustee, who was an Attorney or a retired Judge, relinquished his hold, things have not been going on well as the recent cases in Courts would reveal

temple matters, made up the Committee.

In fact after the Public Trustee, who was an Attorney or a retired Judge, relinquished his hold, things have not been go- ing on well as the recent cases in Courts would reveal, said one of the Basnayake Nilame's. In fact his position was so powerful, that the Public Trustee had to be even at the opening of the Casket for Expositions of the Sacred Tooth Relic. But that position has changed. Yet another feature in the 1905 Act was amended were section 22 of that Act requires that all accounts should be filed in the District Court of all Devales and the Sri Dalada Maligawa.