Colombo, Dec 29: Dozens of saffron-robed Buddhist monks protested today against ``unethical conversions”, allegedly by Christians, and demanded Sri Lanka immediately introduce legislation banning the practice. The monks, who yield a great influence in this predominantly Buddhist country, pitched black umbrellas and vowed to fast unto death until measures are taken against conversions from Buddhism to Christianity.
``Buddhism is not an aggressive or missionary religion. Other religious groups seem to take this for a weakness,'' said Omalpe Sobitha, head of the National Sanga Council, which organised the protest.
``We need to protect Buddhism from this grave threat of unethical conversions,'' said Sobitha, seated cross-legged on the pavement in front of the Ministry of Buddhist Affairs.
Last week, a funeral was held for an influential Buddhist monk, Gangodawilla Soma, who campaigned against conversions from Buddhism to Christianity. Some Buddhist hardliners blame Christians for soma's death, though medical records show he died of natural causes.
Mobs attacked two churches yesterday in east of the capital Colombo, smashing statues, furniture and windows. No one was hurt, but police said security at churches has been heightened to prevent more such violence.
Sri Lanka's Hindu religious affairs minister Thiyagarajah Maheswaran over the weekend accused international groups are trying to spread Christianity in Sri Lanka under the guise of reconstruction work.
He said he was confident that parliament would pass a law by early next year banning religious conversions through coercion or offering money. Bureau Report