JHU to nominate more laymen as candidates
Lakshmi de Silva
Jatika Hela Urumaya leader Ven Ellawala Medhananda Nayaka Threa said
the JHU would nominate more laymen as candidates for the general
election though it will not contest all the electorates but only
Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy and Kurunegala.
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Jathika Hela
Urumaya
* The JHU was founded in
February, 2004 as the Sihala Urumaya.
* Founding members Vens
Kolonnawe Sumangala Thera, Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera, Ellawala
Medhananda Thera, Dr Omalpe Sobhitha Thera, Athuraliye
Rathana Thera and Thilak Karunaratne.
* The Jathika Hela Urumaya
contested its first Parliamentary Elections on April 2,
2004.
* The JHU won six percent of
the popular vote and nine out of 225 seats.
* In 2007, JHU lay MP Patali
Champika Ranawaka became the Minister of Environment and
Natural Resources. |
He further said not only the Bhikkus but there are capable laymen who
could serve the country coming forward to contest in the forthcoming
general elections.
The JHU played a vital role in national politics during a crucial
period in our history and our party does not want to grab power but to
direct the governing party to the correct path when necessary, JHU
Leader, Ven Ellawala Medhananda Nayaka Thera told the Daily News
yesterday. The JHU signed an agreement with the President Mahinda
Rajapaksa to bring peace to our country and to defeat terrorism that
ravaged the country for nearly three decades. Now it is done.
Time has come to develop the country and the President had taken the
right steps in the direction of development the Nayaka Thera said.
Ven Medhananda Thera also said his academic research and the literary
work would not be stopped though he gives the leadership to the JHU.
Already there were 20 of my books published and another 10 written but
only four in print. My love for archaeological research would not end.
JHU President Ven. Kotapola Amarakiththi Thera said he had already
tendered his resignation letter from the party and the Presidency to the
Secretary of the JHU Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera and a copy to the Leader
of the party.
The Thera further said for the past 30 years he served through the
Shanthi Foundation and the time has now come to devote more time for
spiritual advancement.
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