Sri Lanka, Oct. 9 -- Venerable Narampanawe Ananda Thera, the Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter and Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, said that the number of enlightened and ascetic figures who were recognised throughout the country is not as high as in the past, and the main reason for this is that Monks have distanced themselves from Literature and the Arts.

The Venerable Thera said that, when it comes to Monks who receive University Degrees, the only hope of many of them is to graduate from University, and that, as a result, there is a clear lack of Monks engaged in writing, songwriting, and painting today, more than ever before.

The Venerable Anunayake made this statement on Wednesday (7) at the inauguration of the Kaha Sivurai...