President vows before mortal remains of Ven. Sobitha Thera
By Sandun A Jayasekera
President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday vowed before the mortal remains of Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera that he would do everything possible under his command to abolish the executive presidency and introduce electoral reforms which the late prelate fought for in the past few years.
The cremation of the Ven Thera (1942 – 2015) took place under State patronage at the Parliament Grounds in Kotte last afternoon amidst a large gathering of Buddhist monks, Buddhists devotees, religious leaders, devotees of other religions, politicians, diplomats, Buddhist delegates from other Asian Buddhist countries, armed forces personnel and many others.
The casket with the mortal remains of the late prelate was taken in a long funeral procession in a decorated ‘Ransivige’ to the Parliament Grounds from the Kotte Sri Nagavihara where it was was placed for public veneration last Sunday.
President Sirisena, addressing the grieving gathering of all walks of life further said the Thera passed away at an unexpected time and before fruition of his wish and expectation of creating a ‘just society’.
“Ven Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera devoted his life in the last few years to create a just society and promote the concept of good governance in Sri Lanka without politicizing it and paying little attention to his own well-being which ultimately led to the deterioration of his health. ‘The National Movement for a Just Society’ he formed to achieve those goals and gave the leadership to put the foundation to the mass campaign to bring myself and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe out the present positions and to form the regime of Good Governance of today,” President Sirisena stressed. President Sirisena recalled how Ven. Sobitha Thera worked tirelessly for the welfare of the Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims during the conflict which could be termed as a national service and Yuga Mehewara.
President Sirisena reiterated his pledge to create a just society, good governance,and fully restore the rule of law and strengthen democratic institutions the Ven Thera wished to establish through his campaigns. “The Ven Thera being a Buddhist monk was completely a different character, who took a different path to create a just and decent society. It was a diversion from the commonly accepted path for Bhikkus. But his struggle itself took the better of his life and made the Thera sick and weak which created shock and sorrow among all of us. The greatest honour we can give Sobitha Thera is to follow in the path he showed us and endeavouring to achieve a just society and good governance,” President Sirisena stressed and concluded his speech wishing the supreme bliss of Nirvana to the Thera.
Pansil was given by Ven. Ittapane Dhammalankara Thera while the welcome address was delivered by the Director of the Pali and Buddhist Studies of the Kelaniya University Ven. Prof. Kotapitiye Rahula Nayaka Thera,
The religious orations representing the four Nikayas were delivered by Vice Chancellor of the Sri Jayewardenepura University Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera, Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Nayaka Anunayaka Thera, Ven. Brahmanawatte Sivali Anunayaka Thera and Ven. Napane Vijitha Anunayaka Thera .
Former Archbishop of Colombo, Oswald Gomis, Bishop of the Anglican Church of Colombo Vhiloraj Canakasabe, Swami Sarwarupananda and Al Sheid Murshid Musfar delivered funeral orations on behalf of the Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Hindus and Muslims respectively.
Speaker Karu Jaasuriya delivered the vote of thanks.
Major General Tilak Paranagama spoke on behalf of the Dayaka Sabha of the Kotte Sri Naga Vihara. Prof. Sarath Wijesuriya spoke on behalf of the Movement for a Just Society.
After a gun salute accorded to the late Thera by the Sri Lanka Army, the pyre was set on fire by two relatives of the late Thera while the dark clouds covered the setting sun indicating the end of another day.