The Indian government has agreed to provide a massive financial grant of
USD 15 million (amounting to billions of Sri Lankan rupees) to promote Buddhist relations and Pali language education in Sri Lanka. However, serious questions are now emerging regarding a suspected hidden agenda and financial maneuvering operating behind this ostensibly noble initiative.
The Heritage of the Pali Language and Indian Intervention
Lord Buddha preached his doctrine in Magadhi, or Pali, the vernacular language of the common people during that era. Therefore, Pali is not merely a language but a universal linguistic vehicle that carries Buddhist philosophy to the world. In Sri Lanka, this language and the Dhamma have been safeguarded for centuries by classical Pirivenas (monastic colleges) with proud histories—such as Vidyodaya, Vidyalankara, and Asgiriya—along with dedicated Pali and cultural institutions.
Successive Sri Lankan governments have never allocated such a colossal sum to these institutions for language promotion. The current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, is a leader deeply fascinated by and closely engaged with Buddhist philosophy. A war has never stemmed from Buddhist doctrine, and this is precisely why Prime Minister Modi and the Indian state are keen to carry forward this philosophy through Sri Lanka.
Program Background and the Emergence of Pathfinder
A few years ago, a cultural program was held in India, bringing together the leading monks of Sri Lankan Pirivenas and representatives from Pali and Sanskrit institutions. During this event, a consensus was reached on the critical need to elevate Pali education in Sri Lanka. Consequently, various Buddhist programs were held in India annually at the invitation of the Indian government. Milinda Moragoda, who served as the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India at the time, was also involved in these programs as an invitee.
Common sense dictates that the most qualified entities to spearhead this initiative using these Indian grants are the traditional Pirivenas and institutions that have historically engaged in this sacred duty. But what is actually unfolding now?
The Taj Samudra Plan: A 'Strategic Roadmap'
A special full-day expert symposium is scheduled to take place at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo on July 24, 2026. According to the official invitation, the program is titled "Strengthening Pali Language Studies in Sri Lanka: A Strategic Roadmap for Revival and Global Engagement."
This event is jointly organized by:
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The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka
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The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
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The Pathfinder Foundation
The Pathfinder Foundation is a research and advisory think-tank founded by Milinda Moragoda, primarily focusing on economic, strategic, and foreign policy studies. It has absolutely no historical background in teaching Buddhism or the Pali language.
Leading monks and Pali institutions have been invited to this symposium. According to internal sources, the underlying objective is to draft a "roadmap report" leveraging the names and presence of the participating monks and institutions, which will then be handed over to the ICCR and the Indian High Commissioner. This raises strong suspicions that the Pathfinder Foundation is attempting to monopolize the massive financial allocations earmarked for the promotion of Pali. Furthermore, the role of Venerable Prof. Kotapitiye Rahula Thero of the Kotte Chapter—a close associate of Milinda Moragoda—has also drawn significant public attention in this context.
A Pre-arranged Setup and Suspicious Ties?
A few months ago, classical Pali grammatical texts such as Nama Mala, an ancient work authored by Ven. Waskaduwe Subhuthi Thero, and Balavataraya, were reprinted through the Pathfinder Foundation utilizing financial aid from the Indian High Commission. A critical question now stands before us: is this sudden affection for Pali—a passion the Pathfinder Foundation did not possess for decades—merely a preparatory measure to artificially construct a 'track record' necessary to secure this colossal grant from India?
Additionally, the current Indian High Commissioner, Santosh Jha, and Milinda Moragoda are known to be close friends. Santosh Jha is scheduled to retire from his post by December of this year (2026). Given this, is the maneuver to bypass traditional Pirivenas and award these lucrative projects to Pathfinder essentially a 'parting gift' for a friend? We highly doubt that the Indian Prime Minister or the Indian government, who are funding this initiative, are aware of these localized internal dealings.
The Past and the Reality
In the eyes of India, is Pathfinder genuinely the most suitable institution to uplift Pali education in Sri Lanka?
Milinda Moragoda is not someone previously known to the public as a devout figure engaged in promoting Buddhism. In fact, he is an individual who previously filed a lawsuit against the broadcasting of Pali Pirith chanting at the Alan Mathiniyaramaya Temple, located near his residence. Moreover, he has faced past allegations, surfaced via WikiLeaks reports, of maintaining ties with American intelligence agencies.
If any individual or entity is dedicated to the advancement of Pali education in Sri Lanka, it is certainly commendable. However, foreign funding allocated for this purpose must be channeled to genuine institutions with decades of commitment that possess the actual capacity to execute the task. When examining the track record of the Pathfinder Foundation, it is abundantly clear that this is merely a project aimed at securing incoming funds.
The Emptiness Cloaked in White
When observing this entire process deeply, one senses a profound emptiness. It appears that certain individuals, perched at the highest echelons of society and often deemed 'men' suited for future leadership, have truly devolved into mere machines chasing after limitless financial gain that goes far beyond their daily needs.
Is this transformation of religion, language, and culture into multimillion-dollar projects not a glaring reflection of the absolute emptiness inside them, despite being cloaked in pure white attire? This is the ultimate question our society must ask.
# By Samara Paranavithana
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