Annual Report of the People's Bank for the Year 2013

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Annual Report of the People's Bank for the Year 2013 FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL FOR THE BENEFIT OF This People’s Bank annual report has been produced by Smart Media The Annual Report Company, a certified carbon neutral organisation. Additionally, the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from activities outsourced by Smart Media in the production of this annual report, including the usage of paper and printing, are offset through verified sources. PEOPLE’S BANK FOR THE BENEFIT ANNUAL REPORT 2013 REPORT ANNUAL OF ALLPEOPLE’S BANK ANNUAL REPORT www.peoplesbank.lk 2013 Contents Highlights .............................................004 Financial Reports Annexes Chairman’s Message ............................007 Directors’ Report ..................................152 Value Added Statement ........................264 Chief Executive Officer/ Directors’ Responsibility for Sources and Utilisation of Income ........265 General Manager’s Review ...............013 Financial Reporting ...........................155 Income Statement US$ .........................266 Board of Directors ................................021 The Directors’ Statement on Internal Controls ................................156 Statement of Financial Position US$ .....267 Corporate Management .......................027 Independent Assurance Report ...........158 Quarterly Financial Highlights ..............268 Executive Management and Zonal Management ...........................035 Report of Factual Findings and Branch Network ....................................269 Corporate Governance .....................160 Business Review ..................................039 Branches with Selected Services .........274 Board Audit Committee Report ............180 Financial Review ...................................063 Worldwide Partners ..............................279 Report of the Auditor General ..............183 Sustainability Supplement ....................077 Decades at a Glance ...........................281 Income Statement ................................185 A Pictorial View of 2013 ........................108 Performance Review 2004-2013 ..........284 Statement of Comprehensive Income ..186 Compliance Report ..............................111 Glossary of Financial/Banking Terms ...286 Statement of Financial Position ............187 Corporate Governance ........................117 Cash Flow Statement ............................188 Risk Management .................................127 Statement of Changes in Equity ...........189 Notes to the Financial Statements ........191 WE EXIST TO PROSPER All… We are well rooted. We stand firm in good times and bad. We know banking inside and out. The fruits from the tree of our enterprise nourish every stakeholder. We exist to prosper all. We are People’s Bank. Our Vision Our Mission Our Values To be the Bank of the For our Customers • We recognise that the primary reason for aspiring People of To take pride in providing our existence is to create value for people Sri Lanka: an excellent service in the of the nation. Empowering People most caring, responsive to become value and professional manner. • In all our activities we exercise our duty with creating, competitive utmost care in the interest of our depositors. and self-reliant. For our Owners • We promote long-term ethical relationships To generate benefits for the with our customers through true and fair dealing. national economy whilst • We put our customers at the centre of everything, being independent and by minimising bureaucracy, demanding hands commercially viable. on management, quick decision making and implementation. For our Employees To create opportunities • We empower staff and require them to be for our employees to accountable. benefit from their high performance by becoming • We demand the highest standards of personal value creating, skilled, self- integrity at all levels, putting the Bank’s interest confident and professional ahead of individuals. individuals who are also • We create an environment of mutual respect and team players. trust where employees can demonstrate their performance and achieve their full potential. For our Society To support empowerment • We develop our business by encouraging high and sustainable performing teams that recognise and support the development by skills, commitment and links to the community of contributing to the every employee. upliftment of education, culture and environment • We are committed to comply with the spirit and island-wide. letter of all laws and regulations, adhering to the highest standards of Corporate Governance, transparency, disclosure and ethical conduct. • We conduct ourselves as good citizens promoting the environment and sustainable development. 002 People’s Bank Annual Report 2013 About the Bank People’s Bank was set up in 1961 to mobilise rural savings and channel it towards the process of development. It was established to provide banking services to population groups that had previously been excluded from the financial services industry. Thus over fifty years, we have used financial products to catalyse development in rural and urban areas and to provide support to an economy in transition. The Bank commenced business in a very different economic environment. The country had received independence a mere 13 years previously and many parts of the financial services industry were at an early stage of development. There was an emphasis on state-led economic growth and state-owned enterprises were seen as the driver of the economy. Today, we function in a very different environment. The country’s per capita GDP has crossed the US$ 2,500 threshold and the state and private sector work together to drive development. The Government’s ambition of developing the ‘Five Plus One Hubs Strategy’ is well in line with achieving a per capita GDP of US$ 4,000 by 2016 enabling the country join the ranks of emerging economies of the world. A state-of-the-art financial services industry is crucial if the country is to sustain its present growth rates. The current moment calls for innovation, proactive engagement with new market segments and calculated risks. People’s Bank is today ready to play this new role. It has a pool of highly-motivated employees, a sound risk management strategy, a customer base in excess of 15 Mn, 735 branches, 460 ATMs and an asset base of Rs. 931 Bn. We are constantly strengthening our product portfolio and enhancing customer service. Our pre-tax profit is Rs. 10.3 Bn and post-tax profit is Rs. 7.5 Bn in 2013. People’s Bank Annual Report 2013 003 Highlights Operating Highlights Total branch network more expanded to 735 the highest than in Sri Lanka 50 Bank expanded ATM network to 460, the first to be connected to the National Common years ATM switch project. in Customer accounts over 15 Mn. Introduction of “Migrant Debit Card”, Banking in partnership with the Foreign Service Employment Bureau. Bank’s Fitch Rating was reaffirmed as AA+ 004 People’s Bank Annual Report 2013 Bank recorded a profit after tax of 10.0Rs. Bn paid in taxes, dividends and levies 7.5 to the Government of Sri Lanka. Rs. Bn Financial Highlights BAnk GROUP 2013 2012 Change 2013 2012 Change Rs. Mn Rs. Mn % Rs. Mn Rs. Mn % Results for the Year Gross Income 120,456 94,777 27.1 139,957 109,974 27.3 Total Operating Income 46,530 43,310 7.4 55,576 49,618 12.0 Profit before Tax 10,304 15,249 (32.4) 13,412 17,671 (24.1) Provision for Taxation 2,816 4,355 (35.3) 4,248 5,775 (26.4) Profit after Tax 7,488 10,894 (31.3) 9,164 11,897 (23.0) At the Year End Gross Loans and Receivables 681,467 660,624 3.2 773,251 740,675 4.4 Deposits 762,249 683,951 11.4 789,225 708,897 11.3 Total Assets 930,585 873,296 6.6 1,031,473 960,860 7.3 Total Equity 36,537 29,205 25.1 55,088 45,749 20.4 Key Performance Indicators Return on Assets (%) - before Tax 1.1 2.0 1.3 2.1 - after Tax 0.8 1.4 0.9 1.4 Return on Equity (%) 22.8 41.7 18.2 28.2 Cost to Income Ratio (%) 48.4 55.8 49.1 55.0 Statutory Ratios Capital Adequacy Ratios (%) Tier 1 Capital Ratio - Minimum Requirement 5% 10.4 9.8 12.5 12.0 Total Capital Ratio - Minimum Requirement 10% 15.0 14.0 15.9 15.7 Statutory Liquidity Assets Ratio (%) Domestic Banking Unit - Minimum Requirement 20% 25.2 21.8 Off-Shore Banking Unit - Minimum Requirement 20% 22.3 21.8 People’s Bank Annual Report 2013 005 006 People’s Bank Annual Report 2013 Chairman’s Message People’s Bank has been of service to millions of Sri Lankans in all walks of life since its inception. People’s Bank Annual Report 2013 007 Being a State Bank, our responsibility lies with developing our stakeholders aligned to the country’s vision and thus far, we have seen the objectives in this path fulfilled and achieved. 008 Chairman’s Message People’s Bank Annual Report 2013 People’s Bank Annual Report 2013 Chairman’s Message 009 It gives me great pleasure to be able to address you One of the Bank’s largest customer bases which as our important stakeholders in my second year continues to gain immense focus given the in office whilst the Bank is on its fifty third year of yeomen service our expatriate Sri Lankans render existence. in contributing to the growth and development of the nation is our expatriates. These Sri Lankans ‘For the Benefit of All’ is the thought process that we were expected to have remitted an extraordinary intend to permeate even further in the future, creating US$ 6.7 Bn by end 2013. This is an increase from an empowering environment to all our stakeholders. US$ 6 Bn posted in 2012, with the reasons for the growth pinpointed to increased labour migration under professional
Recommended publications
  • Colombo Final Plot Final
    U.S. Department of State Overseas Building Office Makayla Bellamy University of Virginia School of Architecture Juwan Palmer Felix Yizhou Li Systems, Sites and Building, Fall 2014 Colombo, Sri Lanka is the largest urban city on the island just off of the southern coast of India. The island has a history of immigration, trade, and colonial invasion, providing the city with a diverse variety of ethnic groups, languages, and religions. While the largest religion on the island is Buddhism, there is a large collections of Tamils and Muslims. The topography of Sri Lanka is classified into two regions; the dry-zone that stretches from north to southeast, and the wet-zone that stretches from west to south. The dry highlands consist of a variety of temples and man-made lakes, while the dry lowlands are preferred farmland. The wetlands consist of sites preferable for fishing, and tourist attracting beaches. This is where Colombo is located. The construction of Sri Lanka was based off of a hierarchical system, in which only buildings of high elite were designed to maintain permanence. This left many ruins throughout the island that are representative of this elite system. The architecture current- ly is mainly religious, and because of the high religious diversity, there is a diverse architectural landscape. Around the island, there is a large percentage of the poor that live in mud and thatched roof houses using designs that date back to ancient times. In Colombo however, there is a high percentage of lower middle class, most of which prefer white washed cements houses with polished cement floors.
    [Show full text]
  • Art and Tradition of Sri Lanka Vol 11 Dance of Sri Lanka
    ART AND TRADITION OF SRI LANKA VOL 11 DANCE OF SRI LANKA . ART AND TRADITION OF SRI LANKA VOL 11 DANCE OF SRI LANKA Dr. Priyanka Virajini Medagedara Karunaratne S. Godage & Brothers (Pvt) Ltd. Dedication First Edition : 2017 For my loving mother ART AND TRADITION OF SRI LANKA - VOL 11 Eminent agriculturist, creative idealist, who induced © Dr. Priyanka Virajini Medagedara Karunaratne creativity in my soul ISBN 978-955-30- Cover Design by: S. Godage & Brothers (Pvt) Ltd Page setting by: Nisha Weerasuriya Published by: S. Godage & Brothers (Pvt) Ltd. 661/665/675, P. de S. Kularatne Mawatha, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka. Printed by: Chathura Printers 69, Kumaradasa Place, Wellampitiya, Sri Lanka. Preface The Art Tradition of Sri Lanka volume II Dance of Sri Lanka is a unique piece of work. The page by page coverage is of the development of dance forms through Sri Lankan history sumptuous imagery and experts’ accessible guide to the dance tradition of the country. This will serve as a great text book for University students who involve in the appreciation of art traditions of Sri Lanka as well as academia. The use of forms of dance permeates every culture and tradition from the earliest times to the modern day. Combining aesthetic impact with cultural significance, the dance form adorns all types of surfaces from stone, wood and ivory and also covers some of areas of Buddhist and Hindu architectural sites. The Art Tradition of Sri Lanka Volume II dance of Sri Lanka reflects this ubiquity by presenting a biography of dance forms in a variety of forms – painted, architectural and carved dance forms are displayed in more forms.
    [Show full text]
  • Print This Article
    Journal of Global Buddhism 2020, Vol.21 205–222 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.4031015 www.globalbuddhism.org ISSN: 1527-6457 (online) © The author(s) Special Focus: Bad Buddhism This article illustrates how conversations on “good” and “bad” forms of Buddhism have taken place in Bangladesh since the 19th-century Theravāda reformation. First, in the process of purging prior Hindu and Tantric influences, second, with the introduction of Mahāyāna Buddhism through Risshō-Kōsei-kai; and, third, in responding to recent Buddhist extremism in Myanmar. The article also shows how “bad Buddhism”—for instance, Buddhist extremism in Myanmar—impacts Buddhists in other countries. For Bangladeshi Buddhists, claiming their identity and practices involves a process of both connecting with the “good” and distancing from the “bad.” Keywords: Bangladesh; Rissho-Kōshei Kai; Rohingya; global religion he Buddhist community forms a very small minority in Bangladesh, only approximately one percent of the total population of 160 million. Bangladeshi Buddhists mainly have been following Theravāda Buddhism, after a reformation initiated by the Arakanese Buddhist Tmonk Sāramedha Mahāthera and Buddhist priests of Chittagong, when Bangladesh was still a region of British India (Chakma 2011; Khan 2003; Chaudhuri 1982). Since the reformation movement began in 1856, the culture and practices of Bangladeshi Buddhists have been reshaped by many transnational influences. I argue in this paper that transnational connections have played a significant role in the formation of Bangladeshi Buddhist identity and practices, in the way they came to define “good” and “bad” forms of Buddhism. Bangladeshi Buddhists’ connections with Buddhists of other countries required them to be receptive to cultures and texts from outside which were then fused into the existing literary, geographical, economic, and political conditions of Bangladesh.
    [Show full text]
  • BIMSTEC Newsletters Feb 2013
    Page 1 BIMSTEC Newsletter Volume 63 February 2013 KING AND QUEEN OF BHUTAN PAID A GOODWILL VISIT TO BANGLADESH His Majesty the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the Queen Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck paid a goodwill visit to Bangladesh on 14-19 February 2013. His Majesty the King and the Queen were accorded a warm and hearty welcome by the people of Bangladesh. The King of Bhutan met the Hon’ble President Md. Zillur Rahman at Bangabhaban on 18 February 2013. Welcoming the King and Queen at Bangabhaban, the Hon’ble President said that an excellent bilateral relation was prevailing between the two countries. The President also said that the visit would further strengthen the existing relations between the two countries. The President expressed his gratitude to Bhutanese people recalling that Bhutan was the first country to recognize Bangladesh as an independent nation. The Bhutanese King invited the Bangladesh President to visit Bhutan in his convenient time. After the meeting, His Majesty the King and Queen joined a dinner at the Bangabhaban hosted by Hon’ble President Md. Zillur Rahman, which was attended by, among others, Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 15 February 2013 hosted a dinner in honour of the Bhutanese King and Queen at her official residence Ganobhaban. Welcoming the Bhutanese Royal guests to Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the visit would further strengthen the existing relations between the two countries. Terming the Bangladesh-Bhutan relation as historical, the Hon’ble Prime Minister recalled Bhutan’s support to our war of independence and being the first country to accord diplomatic recognition to the independent state of Bangladesh, Bangladesh with Bhutan historical.
    [Show full text]
  • Sri Lanka: Elephants, Temples, Spices & Forts 2023
    Sri Lanka: Elephants, Temples, Spices & Forts 2023 26 JAN – 14 FEB 2023 Code: 22302 Tour Leaders Em. Prof. Bernard Hoffert Physical Ratings Combining UNESCO World Heritage sites of Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy and Galle with a number of Sri Lanka's best wildlife sanctuaries including Wilpattu & Yala National Park. Overview Professor Bernard Hoffert, former World President of the International Association of Art-UNESCO (1992-95), leads this cultural tour of Sri Lanka. Visit 6 Cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Sacred City of Anuradhapura – established around a cutting from the 'tree of enlightenment', the Buddha's fig tree, this was the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Golden Dambulla Cave Temple – containing magnificent wall paintings and over 150 statues. Ancient City of Sigiriya – a spectacular rock fortress featuring the ancient remains of King Kassapa’s palace from the 5th century AD. The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa – the grand, second capital of Sri Lanka established after the destruction of Anuradhapura in the 1st century. Sacred City of Kandy – capital of Sri Lanka’s hill country and home to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Old Town of Galle – this 16th-century Dutch fortified town has ramparts built to protect goods stored by the Dutch East India Company. Visit 4 of Sri Lanka's best Wildlife National Parks: Wilpattu National Park – comprising a series of lakes – or willus – the park is considered the best for viewing the elusive sloth bear and for its population of leopards. Hurulu Eco Park – designated a biosphere reserve in 1977, the area is representative of Sri Lanka's dry-zone dry evergreen forests and is an important habitat for the Sri Lankan elephant.
    [Show full text]
  • 1987 January
    MAY - 1987 june - 1987 julY - 1987 August - 1987 septeMber - 1987 october - 1987 A Buddhist temple at A Buddhist monk climbs the View of the skyline of the The Maligawa Tusker, the Fishing boats, like this are part A beach of your own on the Wewurukannala – visited daily rock hewn steps at Mihintale, Colombo Fort, showing the ceremonial elephant of the of the daily scene on the beach South Coast by pilgrims and especially during the cradle of Buddhism in new high rises in the area, Temple of the Tooth Relic, at Negombo, and in many other Vesak Sri Lanka which include the Hilton carries the relics casket amidst places where communities of International, Colombo, at left all the pageantry of the Kandy fishermen live along Sri Lanka’s and the cylindrical tower of the Esala Perahera West and South Coast Bank of Ceylon, near centre noveMber - 1987 deceMber - 1987 jAnuArY - 1988 FebruArY - 1988 MArch - 1988 April - 1988 An elephant in the wild at the A batik wall hanging Colourful display of pottery An aerial view of the Lions Buddha figures painted on the Sailing with the wind at Bolgoda Ruhunu National Park, Yala and earthenware, typical of a Paw entrance to the palace of ceiling of the cave temples at Lake near Colombo wayside stall in South Sri Lanka Kasyapa, midway on the ascent Dambulla to Sigiriya MAY - 1988 june - 1988 julY - 1988 August - 1988 septeMber - 1988 october - 1988 A Vesak pandol in Colombo Fort Buddhist monks descending from Coral formations and marine life Duty Free bargains available in Temple Fresco at Mulkirigala Spotted
    [Show full text]
  • Buddha Rashmi: the Light of Vesak
    Buddha Rashmi: The Light of Vesak (The elaborately decorated Beira Lake and the Seema Malakaya of Buddha Rashmi Vesak) The teachings of the Buddha are observed and illustrated on Vesak, which signifies the Birth, Enlightenment and Parinibbāna of the Great Teacher. Buddha Rashmi Vesak, which is the national festival organised by the Gangaramaya Temple and Prime Minister’s Office, will this year too lighten up the city of Colombo in vibrant and spiritual illuminations. Vesak is the most significant full moon Poya day for Buddhists around the world. However, in Sri Lanka, Vesak has a unique identity that can be only witnessed in the island. It is a very special day for Sri Lankan Buddhists where they engage in Prathipaththi and Amisa Pooja. Thus it is a time of great spirituality where people go to the temple to worship and offer flowers to the Buddha, it is a time of compassion and kindness, where devotees strive to live according to the teachings of the Buddha. During this time, Sri Lankans stay away from Lobha (greed), Dvesha (hate) and Moha (ignorance), and discipline their minds to be Alobha, Advesha and Amoha. Vesak is a time of veneration and religious observances where the mind attains a sense of peace and tranquility. Buddha Rashmi Vesak, which is an extensive zone near the resplendent Beira Lake and Nawam Mawatha is dedicated to showcasing the importance of Vesak to Sri Lanka, both in terms of spirituality and culturally. An initiative by Venerable Galboda Gnanissara Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple, it is the first and only one of its kind in the country.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhist Delegation to Sri Lanka
    A Report from a Norwegian Buddhist Delegation to Sri Lanka in 2003 The Dalada Maligawa, the most sacred shrine of Buddhism in Sri Lanka hit by a suicide bomber 25 January 1998 1 1. INTRODUCTION In July 2003 a delegation of seven Buddhists, representing the Buddhist Federation of Norway, visited Sri Lanka. The main part of this report consists of their accounts of their encounters with Sinhala Buddhists during a twelve-day journey through various parts of the country. The report is a string of snapshots of holy sites of Buddhism, of encounters with ordinary people, of meetings with Buddhist leaders, both monastic and lay, as well with people in the field of economics, politics, and social work from the Sinhala Buddhist community. As a fact-finding mission our goal was to engage in dialogue with our fellow Buddhists in Sri Lanka. We wanted to explore their views on how the Dhamma relates to society and particularly how it relates to the issues of violence and peace. A number of events, both religious and political, since July 2003, have already made for a changed scene in Sri Lanka. However, we have adhered to the principle of presenting to our readers the words of the people we met, with a minimum of comments from our side. Undoubtedly many of our readers will be in a better position than we were, to interpret the wider significance of the words spoken by the persons we met. To grasp the full significance of those statements, however, one needs a considerable knowledge of Sri Lankan history and politics, as well as of Theravada Buddhism and Sinhala culture.
    [Show full text]
  • CONTENTS on the COVER Editor's Note
    Being a non-profit publication without any affiliation to any organisation, For You Information continues to rely Editor’s Note on support from contributors and benefactors for our publication needs. Thus, we hope that we can continue The month of October continues to be filled with many sacred to receive support in propagating the Dharma. Founder: Venerable Guang Chao and meaningful Buddhist events such the Avalokitesvara Bo- dhisattva birthday celebrations as well as Dharma assemblies CONTENTS in many temples. We would also like to extend our hearti- 53-55 Buddhist Activities est congratulations to The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and 56-57 Finding Inner Peace In The Midst Of Chaos Museum for the appointment of their 2nd Abbot and Kwan 58 What Are You Practising Mindfulness For? Yin Chan Lin Zen Meditation Centre Singapore on their 26th 59 Living Mindfully Anniversary and annual KYCL Zen Conference. 60-63 Khuddaka Nikya (Part 3i) 64 Dialogue With Rebecca On Hope In this November issue, we continue revisit the fundamen- 65 Dhammapada tal teachings of how to live mindfully, peacefully and hap- 66 Selected Buddhist Poems pily not according to secular concepts but according to the Buddha’s teachings for guidance in living life as a Buddhist. ON THE COVER We feature the insightful sharing from the talks by Buddhist Cover Photography: Courtesy of Ms Ruiwu teachers and scholars such as Venerable Ajahn Brahm and Venerable Kanugolle Rathanasara, and Budhhist works by On the cover is the beautiful and in- Thanissaro Bhikku and Benjamin F C Teng. As Buddhists, tricate statue of the Samantabhadra (Pu Xian) Bodhisattva, one of the it is also important for us to ask ourselves why we practise eight Zodiac Protectors in first level mindfulness from Shen Shi’an’s article, ‘What Are You Prac- hall of the Buddha Tooth Relic Tem- tising Mindfulness For?’ and how to live life with hope from ple and Museum (BTRTM).
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhist Tour 06 Nights / 07 Days `
    Buddhist Tour 06 Nights / 07 Days ` Welcome at Airport by Helanka Vacations Guide and transfer to Anuradhapura en route visit Avukana. The Avukana statue is a standing statue of the Buddha near Kekirawa in North Central Sri Lanka. The statue, which has a height of more than 40 feet (12 m), was carved out of a large granite rock face during the 5th century. It depicts a variation of the Abhaya mudra, and the closely worn robe is elaborately carved. Constructed during the reign of Dhatusena, it may have been made as a result of a competition between a master and a pupil. The Avukana statue is one of the best examples of a standing statue constructed in ancient Sri Lanka. It is now a popular tourist attraction. Arrive and check in to Hotel in Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura, the first capital of Sri Lanka and was named a world heritage site by UNESCO. Anuradhapura is now a picturesque city, filled with mystery and rich in Sinhalese culture. Start sightseeing Anuradhapura by visiting the Atamasthana or the ‘eight sacred places’, Mirisawetiya and Samadhi Buddha statue are located within the ancient kingdom, Anuradhapura. These eight places were built to carry the memory of the Lord Buddha having walked on the ground of that area. The eight sacred places are named Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Ruwanweliseya, Thuparamaya, Lovamahapaya, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Jetavanaramaya, Mirisaweti stupa and Lankaramaya. The Sri Maha Bodhi, is a sapling of the ancient tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment more than 2,500 years ago, brought here from India. Thuparamaya is said to be the oldest stupa while the Jetavanaramaya stupa (a towering brick mound that seems to touch the sky) was one of the tallest brick structures of ancient times.
    [Show full text]
  • The Sangha and Its Relation to the Peace Process in Sri Lanka
    PRIO REPORT 2/2005 THE SANGHA AND ITS RELATION TO THE PEACE PROCESS IN SRI LANKA A Report for the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Iselin Frydenlund International Peace Research Institute, Oslo (PRIO) January 2005 © International Peace Research Institute, Oslo (PRIO), 2005 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). ISBN 82-7288-222-1 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 1: THE SANGHA IN SRI LANKA................................................................................................................ 3 CHAPTER 2: BUDDHISM, NATIONALISM AND THE SRI LANKAN STATE....................................................................... 7 CHAPTER 3: BUDDHIST MONKS IN POLITICS ........................................................................................................ 13 CHAPTER 4: ‘WE ALL WANT PEACE!’ .................................................................................................................. 17 CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................................................... 33 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS....................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Amarapura Nikaya (Sect) of Ceylon
    THE AMARAPURA NIKAYA (SECT) OF CEYLON By Ven. Pandit K. Chandrakirti Sri Piyaratana Nayaka Thero (B.A. Lond.) As a result of the vandalistic actions against Buddhism of King Rajasinghe I who reigned in Ceylon in the 16th century no trace was left at all even of one monk who had received the Higher Ordination. The religion had reached its lowest depths, and was almost disappearing when during the reigns of King Vimaladharma Suriya I and King Vimaladharma Suriya II, monks who had received the Higher Ordination were brought to Ceylon from the Rakkangha district in Burma. Although by this act both the Higher Ordination and the Sasana were restored, on both occasions signs of progress were not evident and the Sasana began to decline. During the 18th century King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe sent a mission to Siam. Having got down a retinue of monks including Upali Thera, he re-established the Higher Ordination and the Sasana both. The Siamese Sect (Nikaya) came to be known by this name because of the fact that the Higher Ordination had been brought from Siam. This Sect is the premier sect of the several sects in Ceylon. The second sect that came into existence in Ceylon was the Amarapura Sect. In referring to this sect as the second sect, it must be emphasised that the term second denotes only a point of time and does not imply any inferiority in ecclesiastical dignity. The question may be raised as to the necessity of establishing a second sect in Ceylon at a time when the Siamese Sect was fast spreading its influence over the length and breadth of Ceylon, with the zealous and enthusiastic support of a Buddhist king.
    [Show full text]