SL would have been a developed country if JRJ had been elected at a younger age – Buddhist prelate

Sri Lanka would have been a developed country if J. R. Jayewardene had been elected President at a younger age, the Kotte Vihara Registrar and Chief Sanghanayake for Japan Ven. Pelpola Vipassi Thera, said at the almsgiving for the Ven Maha Sanga at the 26th death anniversary commemoration of the late president, at the J. R. Jayawardena Centre, Colombo 07.

Vipassi Thera said only Ranil Wickremesinghe could make Sri Lanka a developed nation.

“Wickremesinghe can build the country. They have earned nothing from politics but dedicated their own property for the benefit of the public. Due to the failure to identify the correct leadership in the past, the country has had to face a crisis today,” the Thera said.

Vipassi Thera went on to say that people did not recognise the importance of some leaders while they were alive.

“The people, too, could not understand the value of the Buddha and other religious leaders while they were alive. In the same manner, the people did not realise the value of J.R. Jayewardene he was alive. Statues have been erected in honour of all leaders except for J. R. Jayewardene,” the Thera said.

Nawathotamuna Upa Pradana Sanganayake, Ven Getahette Sobitha Thera said Jayewardene had been a person with humane qualities whether he was in the government or the Opposition.

“The late J R Jayewardene paved the way for world peace by quoting the Buddha in his address at the San Francisco Peace Conference. Japan gifted us the Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital and the Rupavahini Corporation because of Jayewardene’s intervention. The importance of the Buddha’s preaching that he highlighted earlier is more relevant for today’s world, and Sri Lanka, than in any other era. All Sri Lankans should unite to free the country from the crisis it is facing today. Under such a situation, the value of a leader such as the late J R Jayawardena is greatly felt today.”