Dhammaloka Thera to announce his decision on Thursday

by E. Weerapperuma

Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera MP will announce on Thursday to which candidate he would support at the Presidential election, at a meeting at the Jayewardene Memorial Centre, Colombo.

The Thera told the media at the Asapuwa on Sunday, that he was still studying the policies of the two major candidates and having perused through the policies, he would decide to support the most suitable candidate who would be able to develop the country.

"I will not take into politics. But I will assure my support and the candidate to whom I decide to support will win the election. I have a set of proposals to the candidates and I expect them to implement the proposal I submit for the country's welfare and citizens' well-being. The proposals are connected to bringing about national unity and religious harmony," he said.

The Thera told the Daily News later that he was for unity among all ethnic groups and he was also in favour of Inter-Religious Council as proposed by the Catholic Bishops of Sri Lanka (CBSL), when the Thera was told about the proposal made by the CBSL to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga sometime back.

The Thera conceded that there should be a that sort of Council to resolve issues and stressed the need of unity and harmony among religious groups.

"Threats come from various quarters. Unity and good understanding among leaders of all religions practice here would give courage to face any threats and challenges. In the same way, we need unity among all ethnic communities if we want our country to develop and prosper. To all these, I give careful consideration before arriving at my decision to support the Presidential candidate," Dhammaloka Thera added.

The Thera said with the hope of ensuring his support to the candidate he would choose, he had got around about 200 Bhikkus and 1,000 youth to go round the country once he announces his decision.

"It is my hope that the person whom I choose should win the Presidential race and we canvass the support of those who have supported us at the 2004 general election to vote the candidate on whose behalf I campaign," he said.