President an exceptional leader - Ven Chandrarathana Thera

Sandya Karunaratne and Chinta Ranasinghe

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is an exceptional leader who destroyed the utopian dream of Eelam that was about to be built through 30 years of armed might, All Island Young Bhikkhu Organization President Ven Debokkawe Chandrarathana Thera said. The Thera said President Rajapaksa is the only leader who can actively intervene politics, economics, social and cultural matters adding that Sarath Fonseka is a stranger to these concepts.

If the country is to witness a bright future, it is President Mahinda Rajapaksa who should be elected leader at the Presidential Election and all members of the Sangha would join together to deny State power falling into the hands of a dictator like Sarath Fonseka.

He said: “Whenever the country was in peril it was the Bhikkhus who first became alert to the warning signs”.

The Thera was addressing a media conference at the SLFI recently. The Thera also said the role played by the Sangha from historical times to protect the sovereignty of the country should not be trivialized.

“Our organization had raised its voice on behalf of the unitary State since 2008. We will never issue statements for political gain.

We have taken a neutral stand. Today, the National Bhikkhu Front is making statements that mislead the people. We ask the people not to be carried away by such views.”

National Young Bhikkhu Organization Secretary Ven Aranwala Sumana Thera said they have not come forward to speak on behalf of any political party.

“There are among us those who hold different political views.

Certain Bhikkhus have even given up positions and high office and join us to protect the unitary state, independence and territorial integrity of the country.

This is social duty cast upon us,” he said.

The Thera observed that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had defeated all efforts to divide the country honouring his pledge made in 2005.

“However, a conspiracy is being hatched to once again divide the country and Opposition alliance led by Sarath Fonseka is attempting install a totalitarian regime in the country,” he said.