Fasting monk rejects President's assurance

[TamilNet, Friday, 10 June 2005, 10:56 GMT]
Venerable Omalpe Sobitha Thera, parliamentarian of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Friday morning informed a team of government politicians that he is not prepared to give up his fast unto death against the implementation of the joint mechanism, as he is not satisfied with the assurance of the President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge that she would not take final decision on the JM without Buddhist prelates' consensus.

Minister Mr.Rohitha Bogollagama, Central Provincial Council Chief Minister Mr.Sarath Ekanayake and parliamentarian Mr.Wijesdasa Rajapakse Friday morning met with Venerable Omalpe Sobitha Thera shortly after handing over President's special message to Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter.

Venerable Omalpe Sobitha Thera during the discussion with the government delegation is reported to have rejected the President's assurance outright.

Venerable Athuraliya Ratana Thera, JHU parliamentary group leader also participated in the discussion, sources said.

Meanwhile, a group of Buddhist monks and laymen began a campaign Friday morning for a general shut down in Kandy town in support of the fast unto death campaign of the JHU parliamentarian.

Heated argument ensued between these groups and police personnel when the latter attempted to prevent the campaign, media sources in Kandy said.