May 10, Colombo: The Chief Prelates (Mahanayake Theros) of the three Buddhist chapters Siyam, Amarapura and Ramanna Nikaya’s or Sects have strongly condemned the violent attacks unleashed on peaceful protestors by the government supporters on Monday (9).

In a statement, the Mahanayake Theros point out that the brutal attacks on the people who were engaged in a peaceful struggle for a solution to the socio-political and economic crisis that has arisen in the country are an affront to democracy as well as to humanity.

The Chief Prelates state that they strongly believe that the political leaders who directly or indirectly supported this despicable act no longer have a moral right to remain as representatives of the people representing the sovereignty of the people.

The statement added that the state is bound by the constitution to protect the lives and property of the people as a whole as well as the right to freedom of expression.

The Chief Prelates emphasized that the law should be strictly enforced against all those responsible for the attack.