Mihintale Ceremony, Threats to Religious Processions and Judicial Reforms Spark Debate

Questions Raised Over Government Support for Mihintale Ceremony

Questions have been raised over the Sri Lankan government’s handling of an important Buddhist religious ceremony at Mihintale, following the visit of Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun on 18 October.

The speaker criticised the level of government involvement in the event and said religious leaders had expected greater assistance with preparations, security and arrangements at the historic temple.

The speaker also claimed that written communications had indicated that the President and Prime Minister would participate in the religious observance, but that their attendance did not materialise as expected.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry subsequently clarified that the Thai Deputy Prime Minister had visited in a private capacity to attend the religious ceremony alongside Buddhist devotees. The ministry said the Thai Embassy’s requests for VIP facilities and other courtesies had been accommodated.

The speaker urged the government to provide practical support for future religious events, particularly at Mihintale, where the terrain and scale of preparations can create logistical challenges.

Concerns Over Threats to Traditional Processions

The statement also raised concerns about alleged threats from underworld groups against traditional religious processions.

The speaker argued that long-established cultural and religious events should be allowed to continue safely, with adequate police protection rather than being restricted because of threats or disputes involving individuals associated with the events.

The remarks referred to concerns surrounding a Basnayake Nilame, the traditional officeholder responsible for the administration of a devale, and alleged conflicts between groups connected to organising processions.

The speaker called for the authorities to investigate any credible allegations of criminal influence and take appropriate action against anyone found to be involved. He also urged the police to protect religious processions and preserve the public’s ability to participate in longstanding cultural traditions.

These allegations were made in the speech and were not independently verified by the transcript. The specific procession, the nature of the threats and the identities of those allegedly involved would need to be confirmed by the relevant authorities.

Debate Over the Protection of Religious and Cultural Traditions

The speaker argued that religious processions form an important part of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage and should not be disrupted by criminal intimidation or disputes over their organisation.

He criticised suggestions that processions should be restricted to smaller areas and argued that established traditions should be maintained, provided that public safety can be ensured.

The speech called on the government, police and relevant religious authorities to work together to resolve disputes, assess security risks and ensure that religious events can take place peacefully.

Judicial Retirement Changes Also Criticised

The discussion also turned to the controversy over extending judges’ retirement ages by two years.

The speaker argued that the change could create a harmful precedent for judicial independence and said the government should listen to public concerns and explain its reasoning.

The issue has drawn criticism from legal professionals and opposition figures, who have raised concerns about possible political influence over the judiciary. The government has argued that the reforms are intended to reduce court delays and address a substantial backlog of cases.

Sri Lanka’s Parliament approved the constitutional amendment on 25 September 2026, with 158 votes in favour and 62 against. The change extended the retirement ages of senior judges by two years.

The speaker suggested that expanding court capacity and appointing judges where vacancies exist should also be considered when addressing delays in the justice system.

Calls for Government Accountability

The central message of the speech was that the government should protect Sri Lanka’s religious traditions, ensure the safety of public events and respond transparently to concerns about judicial independence.

The speaker called for greater government engagement with religious leaders, effective action against any criminal threats and meaningful attention to public concerns over changes to the judicial system.