TENSE SITUATION IN BASNAYAKA NILAMES’ CONFERENCE

Atense situation arose at the annual conference of the Samastha Lanka Basnayaka Nilames Association held at the Conference Hall of the Royal Mall Hotel in Kandy when the participating Basnayaka Nilames protested against the participation of Dilruwan Rajapaksa.

Mr. Rajapaksa, who was the former Basnayaka of Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya was not eligible to attend, since his acting period had lapsed and they asked him to leave the conference hall.

The conference was held under the patronage of Commissioner of Buddhist Religious Affairs.

After the protest Dilruwan Rajapaksa who had come without an invitation left the place.

The meeting became tense with the protest raised by Udaya Emitipitiya (secretary) and Gemunu Walisundara Basnayaka Nilames over

Mr. Rajapaksa, who was the former Basnayaka of Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya was not eligible to attend, since his acting period had lapsed

the participation of Dilruwan Rajapaksa while his tenure has lapsed and also not being a trustee of the Devalaya.

In response to inquiries, the Chairman of the SLBN Association, Attorney Gayan Heenkenda said under Section 937 of the Temporalities Act anyone not legally entitled to be appointed as Basnayaka Nilame is not eligible to attend the meetings of Nilames.

He also said his continuing as the Basnayaka Nilame after the lapse of his tenure is illegal. All the Nilames who participated opposed his coming to the meeting.