LEADING BUDDHIST MONKS WILL CONTEST FOR GENERAL ELECTION UNDER JAATHIKA HELA URUMAYA (JHU)

CHAMPIKA RANAWAKA.

All leading Buddhist monks who are in the Sinhalese Patriotic movement have decided to contest for the upcoming General Election in order to form a virtuous state on our motherland. Ven Ellawela Methananda thero, Ven.Athuraliye Ratana thero, Ven.Dr Omalpe Sobhitha thero and Ven.Rajawatte Vappa thero of the Jaathika Sanga Sammelanaya are among these monks. In addition to them, Ven Kotapola Amarakitti thero of Shanthi Padanama, Ven Kolonnawe Sumangala thero of Budu Maga and Ven.Uduwe Dhammaloka thero will also contest. They issued a joint media statement on 17th February 2004 to inform the general public about their decision.

The Central Committee of Jaatika Hela Urumaya (previously known as Sihala Urumaya) has already decided to donate the party to said Buddhist monks to contest for the upcoming General Election by using the name and the symbol of the party. Since contesting laymen together with the monks are not suitable, all JHU leaders have decided to abstain from contesting. The party recently changed its name and symbol at the request made by said Buddhist monks in order to accommodate them to contest for the General Election under JHU. In the meantime the General Secretary of JHU Mr Tilak Karunaratne, said "We have made a major sacrifice for the benefit of the Sinhalese in this country and it proved that we are not power-hungry or greedy of posts". Further, he added "Our party is full of the many patriotic people who have sacrificed their posts".

Reliable sources said that Ven.Dr. Omalpe Sobitha Thero, Ven. Kolonnawe Sumangala Thero, Ven. Kotapola Amarakitti Thero, will contest for Ratnapura, Gampaha and Kurunegala Districts respectively. It is reported that Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero, Ven. Ranpathwila Wimalarathana Thero and Ven. Rajawatte Wappa Thero will contest for Colombo District while Ven. Athuraliye Rathna Thero and Ven. Thebuwana Piyananda Thero will contest for the Election from Kalutara District. It is also reported that President of Jaathika Sanga Sammelanaya Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thero is the top in the National List of JHU.