The Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, has said it is entirely incorrect to claim that lands donated to temples by ancient kings are enjoyed only by Buddhist monks and should be redistributed among the public.
A misconception is being created in society about lands belonging to temples and monasteries, the Chief Prelate said, according to Ada Derana.
He made the remarks on Monday at a ceremony at the Rangiri Dambulla Rajamaha Viharaya to distribute ‘Urumaya’ land permits to people living on and using lands historically granted to the temple and to the Sri Vishnu Devalaya.
The argument
Income generated from temple lands is not used solely for the benefit of monks, the Chief Prelate said, but for the welfare of the wider community irrespective of race, religion or caste. He said such funds support local residents, children of low-income families, Dhamma schools and those receiving Piriven education.
He also urged those using temple lands to do so responsibly and to contribute to the country’s development.
800 permits issued
Legal Urumaya land permits were presented to 800 people who have been occupying and using lands belonging to the Rangiri Dambulla Rajamaha Viharaya.
The Chief Incumbent of the temple, Ven. Dr. Godagama Mangala Thero, said the lands remain protected today because the Maha Sangha of the time acted to secure them for the Rajamaha Viharaya, safeguarding them with considerable effort when the government was acquiring land under the Waste Lands Ordinance.
What is not stated
Ada Derana’s report does not identify who has argued that temple lands should be redistributed, or in what forum — the Chief Prelate was responding to a position the report does not attribute to any named person, party or proposal. No government official is quoted, and the report does not say whether any redistribution proposal is before the cabinet or parliament.
Nor does it set out what the Urumaya permits grant. The Urumaya programme issues freehold title deeds to occupants of state land; whether the permits handed over on Monday convey ownership or a right of use on land that remains the temple’s is not addressed, though the distinction is the substance of the dispute the Chief Prelate was addressing.
No other verified newsroom reported the remarks on Monday.
