Buddhist temples turn off lights to protest ticket hikes

Electricity service rates register increases of 555%. The monks accuse the government of wanting to keep places of worship dark. In rural areas, temples no longer receive offerings from the faithful. Other religious leaders join the protest.

Colombo () – A group of Buddhist monks asked temples across the island to turn off the lights on the next Poya (full moon) on October 9, in protest at the 555% increase in electricity supply rates in places of worship.

The Sangha Sabha (Council of Monks) of the Central Province met in recent days to decide how to deal with the situation. The monks who participated in the debate expressed their strong opposition to the government’s decision, arguing that many temples cannot afford to pay the new fees.

In statements to the media, the religious reported that the lights can be turned off when lay people are present in the temple for the celebration of certain rituals, such as the Bodhi Pooja. In the coming months, the season of celebration of several important Buddhist rituals, such as Vesak and Poson, begins.

According to various opinions, due to the economic crisis, the income of places of worship has decreased, and the temples in rural areas are the ones in greatest difficulty. Places of worship depend almost exclusively on donations from the faithful.

“With the rising cost of electricity, it seems that the government wants to punish religious places,” said Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thero, head of the Sri Bodhiraja temple in Ambilipitiya, which houses about 75 monks. His bill went from 60,000 to 300,750 rupees (168 to 840 euros). “Isn’t this, then, a punishment?” asks the monk.

Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said places of worship can install solar panels to fix the problem.

In a letter sent to President Ranil Wickramasinghe, the monks recall that, according to the Constitution, the government is committed to protecting Buddhism. In a sign of solidarity, Muslim, Hindu and Christian religious leaders held a protest in Colombo on the afternoon of September 20 to urge the government to reconsider its decision on the increase in ballots.

Sri Lanka is the fourth country in the world with the highest inflation in food prices; it is followed by Zimbabwe, Lebanon and Venezuela. For months now, Sri Lankans have been facing the worst economic crisis of the post-independence period.