In a significant development, the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) apprehended a self-proclaimed ‘Awalokitheshwara’ in the Pannipitiya area, accusing him of misleading the public with distorted interpretations of Buddhist philosophy.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on January 12 imposed a travel ban on Mahinda Kodituwakku, the self-proclaimed ‘Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva’. Kodituwakku is accused of committing irreligious activities that are contrary to Buddhist teachings.
Authorities have revealed that the individual in question had been actively promoting distorted versions of Buddhist teachings. The suspect claimed to be an enlightened being, commonly referred to as ‘Awalokitheshwara,’ a title associated with compassion and wisdom in Buddhist traditions.
The Chief Prelates (Mahanayaka Theros) of all three Buddhist Chapters in Sri Lanka have collectively appealed to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, urging him to take decisive action against organized groups spreading false ideologies that they claim are undermining Buddhism and its cultural values.
In a joint letter addressed to the Head of State, the Chief Prelates emphasized the urgent need to implement the law against individuals involved in disseminating distorted interpretations of Buddhist philosophy. They expressed concern that such activities were not isolated incidents but rather a deliberate attempt to harm the core principles of Buddhism.
