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Another controversial incident that stirred social media emerged online around October 21st, during the Viharamahadevi Satyagraha. This was due to a video going viral, showing Pitiduwe Siridhamma, also known as Siri Samanthabhadra Thero, who claims to be an Arahant, traveling in an ultra-luxurious vehicle worth 32.5 million rupees.
According to a video by a YouTuber named Lal, those present in the video state that this vehicle, with its yellow and orange leather seats, LED lighting, and modern interior modifications, is on par with one used by a president. It is commented that "you can't stretch your legs in a V8," and the Thero states that the van has been modified in this way to reduce leg discomfort when traveling a thousand or two thousand kilometers a day. The video discusses that over ten lakhs (one million rupees) have been spent on the seating system of this vehicle alone.
Although the ownership of this vehicle has not yet been confirmed by official media or government documents, this is not the first criticism raised regarding Samanthabhadra Thero's luxurious lifestyle.
Born in Pitiduwa, Galle in 1975, and ordained around 2000 as a science graduate, he declared himself an Arahant in 2013 and changed his name to Siri Samanthabhadra. Subsequently, he established 'Umandawa' Global Buddhist Universal Village on an area of 60 to 70 acres in Melsiripura, Kurunegala, which has now become a massive commercial project selling rice, spices, and cosmetic products.
Similarly, receiving offerings (pirikara) with brands like Louis Vuitton and Fendi at a birthday alms-giving in 2019 also caused controversy, and he stated at the time that they were obtained from a trade exhibition in China.
This conflict regarding monastic discipline and a luxurious lifestyle has already drawn serious attention from the Malwathu Maha Viharaya.
In 2017 and 2023, the Malwathu Mahanayake, Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero, had severely admonished him regarding distortions of the Buddha's character. Coinciding with this vehicle incident, Samanthabhadra Thero was once again summoned to the Malwathu Viharaya on October 22nd, where he was strongly warned about activities such as media spectacles, statements regarding 'Pattini Kujjhana Kamma,' and the 'Mahasona' play performed in Viharamahadevi Park. It is reported that, as on previous occasions, he apologized and gave assurances.
The contradiction between Arahantship and a luxurious lifestyle has created a strong debate within the Buddhist community. Although Umandawa is promoted as a self-sufficient organic village, criticism continues to echo on social media as to whether it is merely a commercial project in the face of a 32.5 million rupee vehicle and expensive modifications.
