In ‘The Island’ of September 2 (religion) columnist D. Amarasiri Weeraratne expresses his "disgust and dismay" over the gigantic granite image of the Buddha which is under construction in a temple in Moneragala.

The writer is well known for his works on Buddhism over the past for decades, though the change of name from Weeratna to Weeraratne is a confusing feature, it is believed that he is the same original Weeratna whose deep knowledge of the Dhamma when expressed has been of interest to those who are not as well-versed as he is in the Dhamma.

However, I am disgusted and dismayed at the language used by him to criticise the theory and practice of the Dhamma. As far as my knowledge goes, Buddhists are free to interpret the theory and practice the Dhamma in any manner we choose or to just leave it. What right does Weeratne have to call us depraved, foolish, Sinhala Buddhist?

We are not in any of those categories.

Buddhists venerate but do not worship (as he has said) the images of the Buddha carved in granite, many of them reflecting the reverence of Sinhala Buddhist kings of yore.

Mind your language Mr. Weeratna. Your phrase "monster statue" irks more than one Buddhist.