-By LeN Religious correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -07.Sep.2025, 11.30 PM) The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy—arguably Sri Lanka’s most revered Buddhist shrine—has long stood as a symbol of faith, tradition, and national identity. But its latest appointment to the post of Diyawadananilame, the lay custodian responsible for the temple’s administration, has provoked anger, protests, and a flurry of petitions, raising uncomfortable questions about politics, morality, and the sanctity of religious institutions.
At the centre of the storm is Nilanga Dela Bandara, a figure whose family name is steeped in Ratnapura’s gem-trading history but also marred by controversy. His late father, Dixon Dela Bandara, earned notoriety in the mining sector, with critics accusing him of profiteering from illegal gem extraction. Now, Nilanga himself faces allegations of an even more compromising nature: involvement in Thai prostitution rackets in Colombo and claims of pimping in his home district of Rathnapura.
Though the allegations remain contested, they have nevertheless sparked outrage among Buddhist activists, women’s rights campaigners, and civil society groups who insist that a man tainted by such accusations cannot be entrusted with one of the island’s holiest offices. “This is not merely about an individual’s morality,” one activist told Lankaenews. “It is about the integrity of a religious institution that shapes the spiritual life of millions of Buddhists worldwide.”
The controversy has also exposed the uneasy intersection of politics and religion in Sri Lanka. Appointments to temple custodianships have historically been influenced by political patronage, with powerful families wielding their networks to secure positions. Critics argue that Nilanga’s elevation was less about spiritual merit and more about his political connections.
The NPP-led government, which has promised a new era of accountability, now finds itself under pressure to intervene. Dozens of petitions have been filed urging the authorities to block the reappointment, while investigative journalists figures have accused the government of “turning a blind eye” to serious concerns.
For Sri Lanka’s Buddhist community, the issue risks becoming an international embarrassment. The Temple of the Tooth is not simply a local shrine; it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a global symbol of Theravāda Buddhism. Already, international Buddhist networks have begun circulating statements condemning the appointment, urging Colombo to act decisively.
“If these allegations are true,” one senior monk based in Singapore remarked, “then it is unthinkable that such a person should be allowed to preside over the most sacred relic of the Buddha. It dishonours not just Sri Lankan Buddhism, but the global Sangha.”
As pressure mounts, the government faces a stark choice: defend the appointment and risk a crisis of legitimacy, or heed the growing calls to remove Nilanga Della Bandara( Thai Prostitute Pimp) from office. For a country still wrestling with questions of governance, accountability, and corruption, the decision will resonate far beyond Kandy’s temple walls.
For many Sri Lankans, this is about more than one man’s chequered past. It is about whether the island’s holiest institutions can remain immune from the taint of political interference and personal scandal. As one petition bluntly put it: “The Temple of the Tooth cannot be a refuge for pimps and profiteers.”
-By LeN Religious correspondent
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by (2025-09-07 22:11:52)
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