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| Saturday, 16 October 2004 |
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| Ven. Dhammaloka Thera boycotts JHU strategy meeting Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera, Jathika Hela Urumaya MP, did not participate at the discussion on the future strategy of the Party held yesterday. In a letter to JHU leader Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera, the Ven. Thera gave reasons for his absence. The Ven. Thera, while conceding that problems should be solved through discussions, said holding discussions with laymen holding views contrary to the views held by the monks and engaging in cross-talks was a degrading exercise. Hence he could not participate in a discussion which is injurious to monkhood. The Second reason for his absence was the views he held in respect of "Sihala Urumaya" members. "Right through I have maintained that the members of the "Sihala Urumaya" should move out from the "Jathika Hela Urumaya". "Working with the "Sihala Urumaya" members intensifies conflicts and will not help to resolve them. Hence it is not possible to work with them. Until the " Sihala Urumaya" members move out and give its rightful place to the Uththara Sanga Mandalaya, I cannot join JHU discussions," he said. The third reason for his absence from the JHU discussion held yesterday was that conditions that led to Bhikkus contesting the election were not found at present. "The `Sihala Urumaya' said they have sacrificed their Party to the Maha Sanga and the Maha Sanga said that they would use the Party as a boat. But what has happened today is that we find that the Maha Sanga has been made prisoners in the boat. Within this milieu it is not possible either to protect the Sinhala Buddhist Heritage or maintain our respect as Monks". "For these reasons I decided to refrain from attending the discussion," the letter sent by Ven.Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera stated. |
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