WikiLeaks: Party Of Extremist Buddhist Monks Stirs Up Tension During Holiday Season

April 23, 2013 |

“The Buddhist extremist JHU party looks set to stir up religious tension during this holiday season. Its members have made several ultimatums to the government and say they will begin a ‘fast-unto-death’ if these demands are not met by December 12. The party is also actively planning commemorations for the one-year death anniversary of Soma Thero, an outspoken monk who was a lightning rod for Buddhist extremism. The Supreme Court will hear a challenge on December 7 to the JHU’s proposed constitutional amendment elevating Buddhism to the status of state religion. In the meantime, there have been attacks on three Christian churches since November 1, with a mixed response from the police. The Christian Affairs Ministry does not seem capable of staying informed about the various pieces of religious-related legislation or the attacks on churches. While the JHU is likely grandstanding for political attention, the upcoming anniversary of Soma Thero’s death is giving cause for some concern among Christians, but considerably less so than a year ago.” the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.

Soma Thero

The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database. The cable discusses the activities of the Jathika Hela Urumaya. The cable is classified as “CONFIDENTIAL” and written on December 04, 2004. The cable is signed by the US Ambassador to Colombo Jeffrey J. Lunstead.

The ambassador wrote; “A Presidential investigation into the December 12, 2003 death in St. Petersburg Russia of Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thero (a marginal figure in the Buddhist clergy known for his extremist beliefs who advocated against everything, including Christianity, Hinduism, liquor, that he believed interfered with being a “pure” Buddhist); — A ban on liquor sales in all supermarkets; and — A date for its anti-conversion bill to be voted on in Parliament.”

Placing a comment the ambassador wrote; “The GSL, as represented by the Buddhist and Christian Affairs ministries, seems to be adopting a head-in-the-sand approach to the JHU’s proposed amendment, apparently hoping, by refusing to acknowledge it, that it will disappear. While the JHU is likely grandstanding for political attention with all its actions, the upcoming anniversary of Soma Thero’s death is giving cause for some concern among Christians, but considerably less so than a year ago. The JHU, which had not been created at the time of Soma Thero’s death, seems to be trying to capitalize on Soma Thero’s death to rally support. The atmosphere in Colombo and around Sri Lanka at Christmas time 2003 was one of much greater fear and anxiety than today; attacks on churches in December 2003 were reaching a climax and there were reports of several incidents weekly. The situation has improved in a year, although not necessarily due to any improvement in relations among the different faiths. To some extent, the JHU and its followers have been able to channel their energy into the anti-conversion bill and the proposed constitutional amendment. With the general lack of support for these legislative efforts, the JHU has decided to create this public campaign to force the GSL to address its issues. It is unlikely the party will be successful.”

Read the cable below for further details;