Udayan, attempting to sow the seeds of communalism - Ven Dr. Omalape Sobitha Thera

Rakshana Sriyantha

The Udayan newspaper in its editorial has harshly criticized the members of the Maha Sangha for their firm stand over the proposed amendment to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. In its editorial, the Udayan paper states the Buddhist monks are on a firm footing as they were up in arms against the Bandaranaike - Chelvanayakam Pact in 1958.

Jathika Hela Urumaya Leader Ven Dr. Omalape Sobitha Thera commenting on the editorial of the Udayan paper says that Udayan has been carrying out a massive campaign to create a fear psychosis in the minds of the Tamil people in the North and the East by establishing fact that other communities in the country do not like to empower the Tamil people.

The Thera said this paper has been trying to complicate this issue. Ven Omalape Sobitha Thera added that members of the Maha Sangha have offered counselling and guidance to the country’s rulers for the time immemorial.

“The members of Maha Sangha have protected the country at the expense of their lives, when the territorial integrity, sovereignty, Buddhism and the Sinhala nation were at stake, “the Thera added.

Ven Sobitha Thera said this has been misinterpreted by the Udayan Newspaper as an act against the devolution of powers to the Tamil people. “It is an attempt to sow the seeds of communalism in the country”, the Thera added. “Religious leaders irrespective of their denominations and faith always come forward when their country or region faces national problems , be it in countries like Myanmar, Pakistan and the Middle East, “ the Thera said.

Ven Sobitha Thera added that the paper has forgotten the commitment of Buddhist monks towards the solving of burning problems of faced by the Tamil people and helping find a lasting solution to the ethnic issue.

The Thera added that a recent survey has revealed that the percentage of people who expressed willingness to devolve power during the conflict is lesser than the post war period. The survey has revealed that more people have expressed willingness to devolve power in the post war period.