Reverend Anamaduwe Dhammadassi, leader of the Asgiri faction, has expressed alarm over various organizations working to undermine and erode the Buddhist culture in Sri Lanka.
Speaking at a Perahara discussion held at the multipurpose building of Sri Dalada Maliga in Kandy, he highlighted attempts to attack the country’s Buddhist culture by focusing on incidents involving the return of elephants to their country of origin.
The reverend emphasized that while many people attending the Perahara wish to see more elephants, few pay attention to the actual whereabouts of the elephants participating in the procession. He noted that the scarcity of tame elephants is a significant obstacle to continuing the Perahara culture in the country. Reverend Anamaduwe Dhammadassi voiced concerns about the lack of understanding among the public regarding the sufficient number of elephants available in Sri Lanka for processions.
He further stated that there are groups and organizations actively working to break, alter, and destroy the country’s cultural heritage. Preserving customs, traditions, and the essence of Buddhism is vital for the maintenance of the Shasana (teachings), Buddha Dharma, and Buddhist values in Sri Lanka. Reverend Anamaduwe Dhammadassi urged everyone to be mindful of these threats and the need to protect the cultural fabric of the nation.
