The Guiding Mark of a Virtuous Nation – Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera

The Guiding Mark of a Virtuous Nation – Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera

A statesman who chose principles over power raises his voice once again.

- Published to mark the 83rd birth anniversary of the Most Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Nayaka Thera, which falls on May 29 -

Today, we stand at a critical juncture where we must reflect upon the noble essence of our national character and build the future with wisdom and clarity. As a nation blessed with a heritage spanning more than 2,500 years, we have preserved our unique identity even amidst the influence of great civilizations. In the modern world, we must move forward with vision and purpose while safeguarding the noble values that have sustained us through history. As a people, it is our supreme responsibility to protect those enduring principles.

It is in this context that the life of the Most Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Nayaka Thera becomes a towering beacon for us. When examining the economic, social, religious, and cultural distortions taking place in society today, the path shown by him during his lifetime remains impossible to ignore.

The character of Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera can be understood in three profound dimensions: first, as a devoted son of the Buddha; second, as a cultural reformer committed to building a righteous society; and third, as a visionary leader who played a decisive role in guiding a transformative change in the political culture of Sri Lanka.

He led all these efforts while firmly protecting the dignity that should belong to the Buddhist monkhood — one of the greatest driving forces behind the cultural foundation upon which Sri Lanka was built. At the same time, he carried out his responsibilities as a Buddhist monk with the utmost sincerity and commitment. It is difficult to find a village, town, or temple where he had not preached the Dhamma. Countless are the occasions on which he shared the offerings and donations he received with monks living in remote villages, temples in need, and suffering laypeople across the country.

The scale of his contribution to social morality and the field of education can best be understood by the immense leadership vacuum felt after his passing. He was a Pirivena leader, a powerful figure in the anti-alcohol movement, a courageous voice for national security, and a selfless supporter of building an entrepreneurial community capable of strengthening the local economy without seeking personal economic privilege. His social role extended across numerous sectors.

The social mission he carried within himself and the virtuous nation he hoped to build were, according to him, being obstructed by what he described as a “great curse” that had fallen upon the nation. He declared this openly before the Maha Sangha and lay devotees gathered to bless him on his 70th birthday. On that occasion, he emphasized that Sri Lanka would never achieve true prosperity as long as the Executive Presidential system remained in force. It was on that very day that he pledged to dedicate the remainder of his life to rescuing the country from that danger.

Since the introduction of the Executive Presidency in 1978, constitutional experts, political scholars, renowned political leaders, and nearly all political parties in Sri Lanka had pointed out its harmful consequences. However, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera was the first figure to publicly dedicate himself to abolishing it and to pursue that commitment consistently and fearlessly.

Through his dedication, several limits were imposed on the country’s drift toward authoritarianism. The 19th Constitutional Amendment became one of the most decisive milestones in that struggle. Yet, tragically for the nation, his passing prevented him from witnessing the final realization of that mission. That responsibility remains with us today.

Therefore, his vision and determination deserve deep reflection in the present era. Especially at a time when Sri Lanka faces unprecedented challenges in its history, society bears the responsibility of paying close attention to the warnings and guidance he offered.

Many constitutional scholars, political analysts, and experienced politicians have highlighted the dangers associated with the Executive Presidential system — a structure that today has become central to the governance of Sri Lanka. Among the major concerns are the weakening of parliamentary democracy, the erosion of judicial independence, and the strengthening of corrupt economic forces that obstruct sustainable economic development.

The tragic fate that has befallen the country over recent decades clearly demonstrates the consequences of concentrating excessive power in the hands of a single individual, allowing arbitrary and impulsive decision-making without room for collective governance. Only by understanding how such decisions have contributed to the nation’s decline can one truly grasp the depth of this danger.

Accordingly, today we stand in an era where national icons capable of reviving the spirit of the nation — great religious leaders such as Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera — must be strengthened and celebrated. It is a time when such leadership should be warmly welcomed. As a nation, embracing that path would be the highest tribute we could offer to Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Nayaka Thera.

— Sri Lankabhimanya Karu Jayasuriya

Chairman

National Movement for a Just Society