Daily NEWS Srilanka

Stones and rotten eggs were thrown at the Dharma Sanwada programme of Pitiduwe Siridhamma Thera (Arahat Siri Samatha Bhadra) held at Piliyandala Somaweera Chandrasiri playground yesterday, Sunday the 26th by way of protest by people in the environs and because of this opposition proceedings had been halted halfway, it is reported.

The said Dharma Sanwadaya programme was scheduled to be held last evening for the fifth time,
organised by a radio channel at Piliyandala Somaweera Chandrasiri playground and publicity in this connection was given for this programme with arrangements and all preparations made with a large chair installed at the centre of the stage when from evening it was seen that crowds who displayed their opposition surrounded the arena, lighting crackers and carrying stones voicing their protest, it was reported.

Some people targeted their criticisms that this thera who appears by the name of Samantha Bhadra says that he has achieved the state of Arahat behaving in the past as someone similar to a Mahayana thera, thus destroying the Theravada Sasana. Various factions of the public have aimed numerous criticisms against this thera for participating in cutting large cakes, enjoying fun and presenting all forms of meat and food, holding birthday celebrations within the temple premises itself, having his statues installed at the temple while still among the living and having flowers thrown at his feet by disciples.

Perhaps because of protests from the beginning of the Piliyandala programme being launched yesterday Pitiduwe SiridhammaThera did not show up and instead, on his behalf another thera had taken his place to carry on with the programme and only a small crowd had been present on the occasion. Whatever it is, even during the time the programme was in operation the protestors who were surrounding the playground had thrown rotten eggs and stones towards the stage and though police protection was provided for the place, they had not retreated either.

In the end, a group of monks and some laymen who showed a protesting attitude had appeared on the scene where the audience was and had created some commotion at which moment it was announced on stage that the programme is suspended. The video at the time of commotion, from below