Leader of the Dambulla Chpater of the Siyam Sect told BBC Sandeshaya that it is the duty of the Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka as well as the authorities to help other Buddhists in the world.

Tens of thousands of Buddhist monks and other civilians marched through Rangoon in another day of mounting anti-government protests.

They were defying the army's warning to stay off the streets.

Monks 'should be pro-people'

Some chanted "we want dialogue" while others simply shouted "democracy, democracy".

Earlier, lorries with loudspeakers warned residents that the protests could be "dispersed by military force".

"Buddhist monks should be pro-people," Sumangala Nayaka thero told BBC Sandeshaya.

In fact the military government of Burma has conferred honours on Sri Lankan Buddhist leaders Mahanayake thero of Dambulla Chapter of the Siyam Sect

The Sri Lankan government, the Nayaka thero said, should also help the monk-led protest as a Buddhist-majority government.

"It is the duty of the Buddhist monks to work for the betterment of the laymen in this life and the next life," the Nayaka thero added.

	Gathering momentum

Asked by Sandeshaya as to why certain Mahanayakes who were confered Agga Maha Panditha silent ion the issue, the Nayaka thero said:

"In fact it was confered by the military junta against which the Burmese Buddhist monks are at the moment are protesting".