MP Dilith Jayaweera today (17) requested in Parliament to organize a Naga (Dhathu) Relics Exhibition in Kelaniya with the same importance and respect as the upcoming exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy this April.
Dilith Jayaweera, a well-known business tycoon and owner of Sri Lanka’s popular television channel, Derana TV, has been a key figure in the discussion surrounding the Naga King and Naga relics, a topic that gained prominence in Kelaniya ahead of the 2019 General Election.
Now serving as a Member of Parliament, Jayaweera emphasized that holding a Naga Relics Exhibition would be a significant step in cultural revival. He also expressed his appreciation that President Anura Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya have taken the initiative to organize the Sacred Tooth Relic exposition.
Speaking in Parliament, Jayaweera stated:
“I once spoke against the notion that religion is a sin. Today, I am happy to see the exhibition of the Sacred Tooth Relic taking place. I suggest that discussions be held with the monks at Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, where it is believed that a single act of worship can bring one closer to Nirvana. If we organize an exhibition of the Naga Relics there, it will strengthen our faith.”
He further remarked that although there is no physical evidence of the Buddha’s visit to Kelaniya to subdue the Naga King Maniakkhita, faith in this belief remains strong. He warned that attacking religious beliefs through misinformation and fake social media accounts is not merely a personal attack on him but an assault on Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage.
