By M D P DISSANAYAKE

Certain groups of professionalsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  are agitatingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  in the public arena with the sole intention of creating an anarchy in Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Unfortunately these misguided groups are also equally well supported by some power hungry Buddhist monks who have been driving a secret political agenda.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Amongst many, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero (MS)ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  could be regarded as an icon in the field, who is now planning to be the Common Candidate for the next Presidential Election.

Since 1991, as far as we are aware MS has been working hard at encouraging wealthy Sinhala Buddhist professionals to come forward to form a new political platform.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He targeted local Sinhala Buddhists as well as those who are living abroad, encouraging them to return to Sri Lanka and join withƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  him.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He has met these people mostly whenever he visited their homes for 7 day Bana ( after a family funeral) or 3 months alms giving event.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  With great skills of oratory, his line of convincing them was very encouraging.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It begins like ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- Mahaththayala wage aya pita rata wela inne epa, Rata venuwen idiripath wenna, mama siyalla balagan nam, api sanvidhana vemu MahaththayoƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦etc.etcƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. (People like you should not live overseas, must come forward on behalf of the Country, I will take care of every thing, letƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s get organisedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚).ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  These propaganda activities were conducted well before the end of the War. Mr Mahinda Rajapakse was not his target, as he wasnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t the President of Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  HasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  he been successful in finding a suitable candidates to lead the country for the past 2 decades?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Or is he putting himself forwardƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  nowƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  as the next Presidential Candidate?

For some Lawyers, Buddhist Monks and bankrupt UNP/JVP/DNA/TNA politicians, even if a Gecko (Huna) falls on your body, they instantly get panicƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  as if the world has fallen on them.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They are waiting for as opportunity to exaggerate an incident on the spur of the moment.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Lets revisitƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  some of the actions, statementsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  by MS in theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  recent past:

• On 3 Sept 2010,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  at the National Bhikku Conference, he made a request to the President to release Gen Sarath Fonseka and in place of him to imprison 100 Bhikkus (Including himself);
  

• Attempted to organise an Adistana Pooja at the Mahamaluwa of the Great Dalada Maligawa on 7 October 2010, which was a total failure due to lack of support and public anger;
  

• ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-The Constitution of the country could be likened to a tube that has too many patches. The more patches it has, it will soon weaken and leak from all side.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  So Sri Lanka should have a new constitutionƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚;
  

• ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to probe the charges levelled against ChiefƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Justice ,should first declare their assetsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚;

• MS is one of the petitioners against the impeachment of the Hon Chief Justice Mrs Shriyani Bandaranayake.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Where did he find funds to finance this litigation action against the Government of Sri Lanka?
  

When lateƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Dr N M Perera accepted the portfolioƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  as the Minister of Finance of Late Mrs Sirimavo BandaranaikeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s regime,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  NMƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s opponents branded him as becoming a Minister through the help of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- Saree PotaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.

Will there be a repeated attempt?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  If so by Whom?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Lets watch the unfolding episodes of this dramaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  in the next two years, with earnest!