ATTACK ON BOGUS “MAITHREE BOSATH”

Bikkhus and layman attack “Galle’s Siriwardena” in Galle who claims to be ‘Maithree’:

To dispel angry mobs Police uses tear gas:
For some time K.Lal Siriwardena of Wanduramba in Galle had been claiming that he is “Maithree Bosath”. In order to bring an end to this false title, a massive and strong protest by about 2000 persons including 500 Bikkhus had launched an organized strong protest by cordoning the luxurious multi storied building he was living in.
The incident had occurred yesterday at a place called ‘Gulugahakande’ in Wanduramba, where he had formed a society named ’SUMEDA’, patronized by many well to do businessmen, politicians and layman. The protestors had hurled stones and other small missiles and objects at the building. All protestors including the clergy were furious and were adamant in their protest to bring an end to this nonsense in calling himself ‘Maithree Bosath’.
The Police had to come and intervene the protest and they had used tear gas as the only alternative to dispel the angry protestors it as reported.
It as learnt from well informed sources that he was practicing a type of Buddhism in contrary to what had been worshipped by the people, the layman and had claimed himself to be “Maithree Bosath”. While claiming to be ‘Maithree Bosath’ he had lived a luxurious life and had been supported by many businessmen and has had political patronage too. That is the reason why his activities were not challenged.
It is also reported that k.Lal Siriwardena had been a very popular personality in the Galle area for quite some time. From the inception he had delivered sermons where people had flocked to listen. He had made sermons over the ITN & TNL TV channels earlier on as a very pious layman. It is reported that after some time he was respected as a ‘Maithree Bosath’. There is a large group of people who believed him to be “Maithree Bosath” and respected in that manner.
The protest against Lal was organized by ‘The Galle’s Buddhist Rampart Organisation’. This as revealed by Ven.Galabodaaththe Gnanassara Thera who had confessed that such actions should be monitored and remedial action taken and initiated by the Government. It is not the only the duty of the Government to restore closed temples and to uplift the facilities of Buddhist temples, but the responsibility of the Government should also be to protect the Buddhist religion and to take action against persons like k.Lal Siriwardena.