Buddhists not ready to sell Budha statues for foods, says UNP

(April 30, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) “Sri Lankan Buddhists are not prepared to sell our Buddha statues for food. We would like to tell the Venerable Ellawala thero that such statements are an insult to all Buddhists,” says Tissa Attanayaka, general secretary of the United National Party.

Responding to a statement by the Venerable Ellawala Medhananda Thero, the UNP general secretary at a media briefing yesterday questioned whether the representatives of the government accepted the fact that the country was that bankrupt.

“Just because the government is so bankrupt, Sri Lankan Buddhists are not prepared to sell our Buddhist statues and purchase food items with that money. Sri Lankan Buddhists are ready to rise again. But we would like to tell the Ven. Ellawala thero that our nation is not willing to dispose of our Buddha statues and buy food with that money. Such statements are an insult to Buddhists,” Mr. Attanayaka said.

The Ven. Ellawala Medhananda thero, leader of the Jathika Hela Urumaya on April 23 said that: “Unlike the Americans and the British, we are a proud nation. If aid is forthcoming, then it should be on that basis of dignity. Or else, we do not want such aid. We would sell even our Buddha statues, even the gold statues, and ensure the safety of our nation”.

-Sri Lanka Guardian