Serious obstacles to the Sangha conference - Muruttettuwe Ananda Thero

Muruttettuwe Ananda Thero, on behalf of the organizing committee, has stated that the Great Sangha Conference scheduled to be held today will proceed as planned, despite various obstacles and threats. The Thero's views are as follows.

"Various obstacles are emerging for the Great Sangha Conference being held today. No matter how many obstacles arise, we will hold this Sangha Conference today exactly as planned. Our Venerable Theros are being intimidated. Threats and intimidations are being made. They call us and ask how they can come. Because they are being intimidated in this way, we tell the Theros not to be afraid. I declare to our Great Sangha, with great joy and pride at this moment, that this Great Sangha Conference, held today to protect our rights and our heritage, will be conducted without any shortcomings or losses, exactly as discussed, with our staff, the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, and all of us integrated, as proposed by the Buddhist Front's movements."

"No matter what obstacles arise, Theros have already arrived from Kegalle and Galle. All the Great Sangha, who love the country, love the nation, love the Sasana, and deeply love the prosperity of the Great Sangha, are arriving. They are already present. This is being discussed on some social media platforms. According to the Buddha's teachings, even though these five aggregates are a source of illness and impermanent, we have strength. We will continue our journey."

We have seen from them that it should be so. Can we do this by respectfully welcoming the Minister? 

"As the head of state, there is no prohibition for him to come. But he did not come here. Say that the President is coming to Sri Lanka. We made an open invitation."

What kind of message do you expect to give to the country through today's conference?

"This country was protected by ancient kings. State administration was carried out according to the guidelines of Buddhism and the advice and guidance of the Great Sangha. We are creating such a situation in this Buddhist country, and the message we are giving is that no harm will be done to other religions."

I don't know if the government will be afraid. 

"We don't know about that."