Venerable Watareka Vijitha Thero is a Buddhist Monk and the Chief Incumbent of the Rotalawela Mahaweli Maha Viharaya in Mahiyanganaya, in the Uva province. Vijitha Thero is also an elected member of the Mahiyangana Pradeshiya Sabha (a local government council in the Badulla district, in the Uva province), representing the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA). He has also been appointed as an all island Justice of the Peace[1]. Amongst Buddhist Monks, Vijitha Thero has immerged as the most prominent and consistent public critique of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS – meaning Buddhist Power Force). Despite many Buddhist Monks participating in inter-religious events, services, discussions and other symbolic events, no senior Buddhist Monk has come forward to publicly challenge the BBS’s version of Buddhism in the way Vijitha Thero has done. Despite expressing fear for his life, having been in hiding and having sought Police protection, Vijitha Thero didn’t give up his critique of the BBS.
Image courtesy BBC
Venerable Watareka Vijitha Thero is a Buddhist Monk and the Chief Incumbent of the Rotalawela Mahaweli Maha Viharaya in Mahiyanganaya, in the Uva province. Vijitha Thero is also an elected member of the Mahiyangana Pradeshiya Sabha (a local government council in the Badulla district, in the Uva province), representing the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA). He has also been appointed as an all island Justice of the Peace[1]. Amongst Buddhist Monks, Vijitha Thero has immerged as the most prominent and consistent public critique of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS – meaning Buddhist Power Force). Despite many Buddhist Monks participating in inter-religious events, services, discussions and other symbolic events, no senior Buddhist Monk has come forward to publicly challenge the BBS’s version of Buddhism in the way Vijitha Thero has done. Despite expressing fear for his life, having been in hiding and having sought Police protection, Vijitha Thero didn’t give up his critique of the BBS.