Sri Lanka, Jan. 28 -- It is by now well established that for any religious faith to be developed and accepted by the generality of the population, it has to have State backing. "Convert the king and the population will follow suit," had been a belief among missionaries other than those who chose to target the poor mainly.

At any rate, experience says that State power is essential for any faith to develop its doctrine, sustain it and ensure fealty to it. Conversely, any weakening of the State due to economic distress, alien hegemony, wars or economic distress will have a deleterious effect on the faith and its following.

The role of the State in the growth or decline of Buddhism in Sri Lanka from the days of the kings to those of the col...