Al Jazeera English’s The Stream Looks at Buddhist Nationalism in Sri Lanka

The Al Jazeera English program The Stream recently devoted an entire episode to the issue of Buddhist nationalism in Sri Lanka. Here’s a description of the episode from their website:

Hardline Buddhist monks are targeting Muslims and Christians in Sri Lanka, where the civil war’s end has spurred a new wave of sectarianism bent on preserving Sinhalese culture. Since the conflict ended nearly five years ago, groups like Bodu Bala Sena have emerged as Sri Lanka’s self-appointed watchdogs of Buddhism. At 19:30 GMT, we discuss the violent side of Sri Lankan Buddhism.

On this episode, The Stream speaks to:

Dilanthe Withanage
Executive member and coordinator of the Bodu Bala Sana

Mahinda Deegalle
Reader in Study of Religions, Philosophies and Ethics at Bath Spa University

Palitha Kohona
Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations

Mohamed Hisham
Co-spokesperson for Rally for Unity

Glad to see Buddhist monk and scholar Mahinda Deegalle in there among the guests!

You can watch the whole episode below, and read/see more at Al Jazeera English’s website here.