Venerable Sudassana Thero of Kekirawa expelled from the Ramanna Maha Nikaya

The Great Sangha Council of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya of the Mahavihara lineage has decided to expel Venerable Kekirawa Sudassana Thero on the charge of propagating ideas contrary to the principles and commentaries of traditional Theravada Buddhism. Accordingly, his sectarian membership has been immediately revoked, and it is reported that his novice (samanera) and higher ordination (upasampada) registrations, which were legally registered as a monk belonging to the Ramanna Maha Nikaya, have also been cancelled, and the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs has been informed of this.

This stringent decision was made following a special disciplinary inquiry conducted jointly by the Disciplinary Committee and the Executive Sangha Council of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya. During the inquiry, the sectarian disciplinary authorities concluded that some of the Dhamma sermons and public statements made by Venerable Kekirawa Sudassana Thero on various occasions directly harm the fundamental teachings of the Theravada tradition. In particular, his novel interpretations regarding several key concepts found in traditional Theravada teachings have been severely criticized by the disciplinary authorities. The Great Sangha Council of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya strongly emphasizes that every monk, as a member representing the Nikaya, is bound by the responsibility to fully respect the Sri Lankan Theravada principles and the conventions adopted and accepted by the sectarian Sangha Council.

However, Venerable Kekirawa Sudassana Thero, who had previously commented on these allegations against him, emphasized that he had never rejected the fundamental Sutta teachings of Buddhism. He pointed out that he had only attempted to analyze the commentaries, interpretations, and popular beliefs that were later added to the Dhamma from an academic and critical perspective.

Currently, there is intense discussion within the Buddhist community regarding several ecclesiastical crises, including the alleged anti-Dhamma conduct of Venerable Kekirawa Sudassana Thero. Against this backdrop, Dr. Venerable Omalpe Sobitha Thero has sent a special letter to the Buddha Sasana Council, questioning the steps taken regarding the large-scale anti-Buddhist activities currently spreading. In his letter, Sobitha Thero pointed out that neither the people of the country nor at least the Nikaya Sangha Council have a proper understanding of the effective steps taken so far by the Buddha Sasana Council, which was established with the aim of taking appropriate measures against anti-Buddhist activities.

The letter raises several specific issues, requesting immediate notification of solutions taken or expected to be taken regarding several major problems that have recently arisen in a serious manner. It also inquired about the steps taken regarding the disrobing of Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero and related issues. Furthermore, Sobitha Thero has drawn the attention of the Buddha Sasana Council to the conduct of a person named Thiththagalle Ananda Siri, who directly challenged the Mahanayaka Theros by allegedly starting a new Nikaya in an anti-Sasana manner, and to a new organization called Siri Gothama Sambuddha Nikaya, reportedly founded by a group led by Klippe Ariyamagga. Additionally, statements made by Jerome Fernando and others, threatening legal action if the term 'mithya drushtiya' (wrong view) is used for Christians, have also been questioned through this letter.

Amidst all these ecclesiastical crises, Venerable Omalpe Sobitha Thero has also recalled a statement made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the 2020 Vesak celebration. He questions what measures have been taken so far under the pledge given then to enact new laws if necessary to protect the Tripitaka and safeguard the Buddha Sasana. In anticipation of solutions to this crisis, copies of the relevant letter have also been forwarded to the Most Venerable Mahanayaka Theros of the three Nikayas and the President.