JHU to support Rajapakse

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 06 September 2005, 09:36 GMT]
Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), Sinhala extremeist all monks' party said Tuesday it has decided to support Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse, Prime Minister in the forthcoming presidential election, sources in Colombo said. The ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has named Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse as its presidential candidate.

Venerable Athuraliya Ratana Thera, parliamentary group leader of the JHU said his party has arrived at this decision at a discussion held with Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse Tuesday at the latter's official residence. The discussion centered on several national issues, sources said.

Venerable Ratana Thera further said the agreement between the JHU and Mr.Rajapakse in this regard would be signed at Dalada Maligawa in Kandy shortly.

JHU parliamentary strength stands at nine. Venerable Dhammaloka Thera, one of the nine MPs of the JHU is reported to have differed with the decision of his leadership on several issues including the presidential election, political sources said.

The Sinhala nationalist cum Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has already extended its conditional support to Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse. JVP parliamentary group leader Mr.Wimal Weeravanse said at a press conference held Monday that an agreement to this effect would be signed shortly with Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse. The event is expected to be held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), sources said.