Ministry related to Buddhist Affairs Continues To Operate; Despite False Abolition Claims!

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According to Article 9 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka, it is stated that the Republic of Sri Lanka shall give Buddhism the foremost place, and it is the duty of the state to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana. However, various posts on social media claim that the present government is allegedly planning to abolish the functions of the Ministry of Buddhist Religious Affairs. However, Factcrescndo investigation found these claims to be misleading.

Social Media Posts :

Below are some of the viral claims among Facebook users implying the purported abolishing of the Ministry of Buddhist Religious Affairs.

Facebook | Archived Link

One particularly prominent claim attributes a statement to Minister Sunil Senewiratne, alleging he said: “There is no Ministry for Buddhist Religious Affairs in the country now. The one that existed has been abolished”

Facebook | Archived Link

Fact-Check:

Speaking on the ‘Rathu Ira’ program aired on Swarnavahini on July 17, Dr. H. Sunil Senewiratne, the current Minister of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, stated that the current government has limited the number of ministries to twenty. As a result, several ministries were consolidated under single entities.

He confirmed that currently, the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs operates as the responsible institution, under which the Department of Buddhist Affairs functions.

Furthermore, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa explained that under the Ministry of Buddhist, Religious and Cultural Affairs, 26 institutions have been gazetted, including the Department of Buddhist Affairs, the Buddha Sasana Fund, and the Buddhist Revival Fund, among others.

A screenshot of a computer

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Minister Nalinda emphasised that all responsibilities related to the Buddha Sasana are being handled by this Ministry and noted that any Mahanayake or Anunayake Theros of any Nikaya have raised no objections or allegations.

Most Venerable Mugunuwela Anuruddha Thero, Secretary General of the All-Ceylon Buddhist Advisory Council, stated that the Ministry of Buddhist Affairs still exists under the combined title of “Religious and Cultural Affairs.” He added that the media had misrepresented the statement made by Dr. Sunil Senewiratne.

When the current cabinet was appointed, the Ministry of Buddhist, Religious, and Cultural Affairs was officially established through a government gazette, with a Cabinet Minister, a state minister, and a secretary being appointed, in line with the new government policy aimed to reduce the number of ministries, limiting them to 21.

Accordingly, Buddhist Affairs continues under this combined ministry, and instead of a separate ministry, the Department of Buddhist Affairs remains active.

Initiatives by the Ministry Related to Buddhist Affairs

In 2025, the NPP government implemented comprehensive initiatives under the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, specifically related to Buddhism.

The government proposed the establishment of a Buddha Sasana Task Force Advisory Council to facilitate dialogue on the role of the state in religious affairs and promote the advancement of religion.

Some of the cultural heritage preservation efforts included official designation of historic temples through ‘Sri Sannas Patra’ declarations and restoration of Anuradhapura’s ancient city.

Educational initiatives encompassed capacity-building programs for Buddhist monks in Pirivenas, drug prevention programs for students, and the ‘Sil Suwandai- Hela Diviyai’ health program based on Buddha’s teachings.

International engagement was highlighted by President Disanayake’s keynote address at the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations in Vietnam. The ministry also partnered with the U.S. Embassy on a Rs. 32 million conservation project for the Thuparama Image House in Polonnaruwa.

Conclusion :

Our fact-check confirms that claims made by certain mainstream and social media posts suggesting that the Ministry of Buddhist Religious Affairs has been abolished are misleading. Minister Dr. H. Sunil Senewiratne clarified that, under the new government policy to reduce the number of ministries to 21, Buddhist Religious and Cultural Affairs are now managed under a single ministry. The Department of Buddhist Affairs continues to operate under this ministry, fulfilling duties related to Buddhist affairs.