Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe officiated at the launch of “Budu Puth Suraksha” health insurance scheme for Bhikkus at Temple Trees, Colombo, yesterday evening with the attendance of several senior prelates of the three Nikayas. The health insurance scheme was initiated as a part of the three-pronged programme “Shasana Suraksha” implemented by the government to foster the Buddha Sasana. Accordingly, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe formally presented insurance certificates to the Maha Nayaka and Anu Nayaka Theras who were present at the ceremony.
The Mahanayake of the Amarapura Nikaya, Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera, Ven. Dimbulkumbure Sri Saranankara Wimaladhamma Anu Nayaka Thera, Asgiriya Maha Lekhakadhikari Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera and Ven. Matale Dhammakusala Thera, Anu Nayaka of the Ramanna Nikaya, were among the most venerable theros present at the ceremony. Two thousand Bhikkus from around the country, who were present at the event, also received the health insurance certificates.
The ceremony was organized by Buddha Sasana and Wayamba Development Ministry. Minister Gamini Jayawickrame Perera was in attendance.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the Health Insurance Scheme would be extended to all religious leaders. He observed that the life insurance scheme was introduced for the protection of the Budhdha Sasana.
Premier Wickremesinghe pointed out that the present government had spent approximately Rs. 7000 million for the betterment of the Buddha Sasana. He said that no other government had ever spent that much funds for the development of the Buddha Sasana.
The Prime Minister said that the government should support the development of village-based temples in the country. “We should keep aside our politics to develop the Buddha Sasana. Temples located in urban and suburban areas have considerable financial strength. Village-based temples should be similarly financed. We have introduced this insurance scheme as a tribute to the Dhamma-service done by our theros over thousands of years. I wanted to look into the matter of allocating funds to Dhamma schools. We were unable to implement the programme due to the political turmoil in the country a few months back. I apologize for the delay and will look into the matter soon.”
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also pointed out that the “Budu Puth Suraksha” insurance scheme provided facilities for the parents of Bhikkus as well.
Sangha should come forward to unite nation - Speaker
Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya yesterday urged the Maha Sangha to come forward to unite the nation under one vision so as to create a better future for the younger generation of the country.
The Speaker made this observation at a ceremony held under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at Temple Trees to handover “Budu Puth Suraksha” life insurance certificates to 2000 Bhikkus, yesterday evening.
Speaker Jayasuriya said that the youth and business people are leaving the country as they foresee a bleak future. “Even though we don’t go around displaying boards, we too are patriots. We too are worried about this country. Thousands of young people are leaving the country. They ask us what the future holds for them. Businessmen are moving their businesses to other Asian countries. We need to put a stop to this trend.
“It is Maha Sangha who has the power to unite the nation. We should discard political agendas and unite as one. When Parliament sat for the first time after the Easter Sunday tragedy, I thought that there would be a difference among all the political parties. But they still kept accusing each other. We must change this attitude.”
The Speaker also commended all religious leaders for guiding the nation in the crisis situation after Easter Sunday terror attacks.
Maha Nayaka and Anu Nayaka theros of the three Nikayas, Minister for Budhdha Sasana and Wayamba Development Gamini Jayawickrema Perera, government ministers, Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs S. Kariyapperuma and foreign envoys were also present at the ceremony.
‘Bhikkus in politics harms Sasana’ – Minister Jayawickrema
Buddhasasana and Wayamba Development Minister Gamini Jayawickreme Perera, speaking at “Budu Puth Suraksha” inauguration, stated that the insurance scheme will be activated from September this year. The health insurance certificates will be issued to all Bhikkus at a provincial level, the Minister said. The first provincial level program will be held at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo, in the first week of July when the Ministry is to issue life insurance certificates to 9200 Bhikkus of the Western Province.
Bhikkus will also be given an identity card along with the insurance certificates, the Minister added. He observed that according to surveys, there were around 40,000 Bhikkus in the country. The United National Party will not give nominations to any Buddhist monk to run for any election, considering the damage such politics is doing to the country and the Buddha Sasana.
The health insurance scheme includes a Rs. 100,000 allocation for heart surgery, Rs. 50,000 for cancer related illnesses and Rs. 1,200,000 for kidney transplants.
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