Technology

In response to growing concerns over the spread of distorted and misleading versions of the four major religions, the government has taken steps to prevent such misinterpretations by various fringe groups. Deputy Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake told the Daily Mirror that the Ministry has appointed advisory committees for each of the four main religions, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity, to address the issue and ensure that proper guidance is given on religious matters. Sri Lanka has witnessed several incidents in the recent past where individuals or groups have promoted distorted religious narratives, sometimes leading to public unrest and social division. In 2022, controversy erupted when a self-proclaimed preacher made statements contradicting traditional Buddhist teachings, prompting outrage among the clergy and leading the Ministry to temporarily suspend his preaching licence. “Now we have appointed advisory committees for the Hindu Religious Affairs Department, a committee for the Islamic Religious Affairs Department, and committees for Christian and Buddhist Affairs,” Dissanayake said. “One of the main purposes of these committees is to examine and respond to distorted or misleading religious interpretations that emerge from time to time. In the future, these committees will meet, set criteria, and recommend necessary measures to prevent the spread of such ideas,” he said. The Deputy Minister said that each committee is to comprise seven members, all of whom are recognised experts in their respective religions. "Apart from advising the minister, these committees will have the authority to recommend corrective actions and policy guidelines when religious misinterpretations or misinformation arise," he said. The Deputy Minister said that the Ministry is in the final stages of forming these committees, after which they will convene discussions and submit recommendations to the government. In addition, a special institution named the “Buddha Sasana Sabha” has been established to handle matters specifically related to Buddhism. “If any issue arises concerning Buddhism, the Buddha Sasana Sabha will intervene to provide guidance and ensure that the situation is properly managed,” Dissanayake said. Officials have also raised concerns that significant amounts of money are being collected and circulated through groups and individuals promoting distorted or unrecognised religious teachings. It was reported that some of these organisations have been operating under the guise of religious or charitable institutions, while collecting funds through unauthorised donations, social media campaigns, and foreign sponsorships.