SIHALA URUMAYA DEMAND FOR A PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION TO INQUIRE IN TO THE SUDDEN DEATH OF VEN.GANGODAWILA SOMA THERO

CHAMPIKA RANAWAKA

One month has already completed on last 12th January since the demise of Ven.Gangodawila Soma Thero. It is true that Ven. Soma Thero has won immense public respect which no other Leader has won in the history of our country after gaining Independence.

The opinion of the Sinhalese who are in and out of Sri Lanka is that his untimely death raised many doubts which are not yet dissolved. The manner he travelled to Russia, the way he suffered a sudden heart attack while flying on 11th Octobber, and the fact that he died two months later without any surgery or any other special treatment are tremendously doubtful matters.

Not publishing even a single news item on electronic or printed media regarding his illness until his death was occurred on 11/12/2003 too is an serious doubt. So far there is no any positive response from the Govt. Authorities to the request made by the Sinhalese for the appointment of full powered Presidential Commission to investigate and ascertain the truth. It is a question why the Govt. is hesitating to appoint such Commission regarding the death of Ven. Soma Thero while appointing an almost similar Commission to investigate into the Bindunuwewa incident where some LTTE terrorists were killed.

In this situation Sihala Urumaya has already taken initiative steps to appoint a three - member Independent Buddhist Commission in this regard if the UNF Govt. is not prepared to appoint such Commission within three weeks. This Independent Commission will comprise of a retired senior Police officer, an eminent Lawyer and a highly qualified Doctor. Sihala Urumaya urge to those who are interested in this connection to make their contribution in whatever manner to make this event a success.