Leading Buddhist prelates tell Opposition:

Don’t divide Maha Sangha

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Several leading Buddhist Prelates yesterday called on all political parties and all sections of society to rise above petty differences and unite to extend their cooperation and encouragement to the President and the Government to take the country forward on the correct path.

They said that it was not the time to create fresh divisions within the country, which was emerging from the wounds created by nearly three decade old conflict.

They also appealed to certain opposition political parties not to create divisions among the Maha Sangha to promote their petty political ambitions.

Commenting on the arrest of defeated Presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka under military law, the Prelates said that enforcement of the Law should be done irrespective of a person’s position or status. However, exerting undue pressure to subvert the due process of the Law was not within the purview of both the clergy and the laymen and responsibility of carrying out the process of Law should be left to duly appointed authorities, they added.

They urged political parties and sections of the public not to sell emotions to the public, thus creating unrest within society which could reverse the country’s recent gains and plunge it back to the former dark era.

Speaking to the media, All Ceylon Clergy Association Secretary, Ven. Vatinapaha Somananda Thera said, as influential religious leaders they thought it was necessary to present their views to the public on the recent developments within the country.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was duly elected for a second consecutive term with a majority of over 1.8 million votes at the elections.

”We noted that many conspiracies were afoot, both before and after the elections. However, the people gave their verdict. Thus it is the responsibility of all to respect this majority verdict of the people.”

Later defeated Presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka was arrested by the Military to be tried under military Law with charges of committing several offences.

In this backdrop a letter has been sent to the President seeking the release of Fonseka and other arrested officers under the signatures of the Mahanayake’s representing four sects.

However, it has been brought to our notice that the signature of Mahanayake Thera of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya had been forged. At the time the Thera was in the hospital due to illness and according to sources he had been fed with false information to get his signature. As he was unable to even sign his signature later had been forged.

Chancellor of the Sabaragamuwa University Ven. Prof. Kumburugamuwe Vajira Thera commenting on the recent unrest in the country said that certain groups were engaged in a conspiracy to destabilize the country. We see a sinister hand behind the unrest created among public by using the above incident as a scapegoat by some political fallouts.

Unable to face the upcoming general elections they have resorted to presenting their grievances to the Maha Nayake Theras. Thus they too out of sympathy make certain statements. Then these groups resort to propagating these statements out of proportions through the media with the intention of misguiding the masses.

These politicians also have misled the Mahnayakes for their ulterior political gain. We see this as another attempt to halt the country’s forward march towards peace and prosperity.

Principal of Sri Lanka Vidyalaya in Maradana Ven Nagoda Amarawansa Thera, Ven. Borelle Athula Thera, Chancellor of the Ruhunu University Most Ven. Attudawe Sri Rahula Thera, Ven. Pallegama Jinarathana Thera too spoke expressing similar sentiments.

A large number of leading Buddhist Prelates too were in attendance.