Farewell, Noble Peoples’ Monk
Hilmy Ahamed
As we bid farewell to a rare human being who probably changed the political landscape of Sri Lanka from disaster, it is time for us to reflect on his life, times and principles that he adhered to in the spirit of serving mankind and resolve to continue his work. Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha was one of those rare individuals who, despite his limited formal education possessed vast knowledge. He probably was the most influential Buddhist priest in Sri Lanka who was accepted by the Sinhala Buddhists, Tamils, Christians and Muslims alike. The large number of Buddhists, Muslim, Christian and Hindu Sri Lankans who inundated the Kotte Naga Viharaya to pay their last respects is evidence of the high esteem in which the people of Sri Lanka held him. His love and affection for all of god’s creation surpassed his religious and cultural beliefs.
There must be a large number of souls from my Muslim community who consider Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero as a champion who challenged the racist agenda of a few Buddhist extremists when they were destroying the peace and spearheading a campaign of hate towards the Muslim, Evangelical Christians and other minorities in post war Sri Lanka. He believed and articulated strongly that every Sri Lankan had the right and freedom to live as an equal citizen in our blessed land.
Born into a humble village family on the 29th of May 1942, Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero rose up to be one of the country’s best know and respected Buddhist priests. Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha entered Buddhist priesthood at the tender age of 11 and his love for the people steered him to be a prominent socialist and social justice activist. He led campaigns that even changed regimes in true Buddhist-style nonviolent revolutions. He was the chief incumbent of the Kotte Naga Vihara. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero supported the common candidate Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe in January 2015 to form a new government defeating President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
