2nd lead:

JHU Buddhist monks submit Colombo nominations

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 February 2004, 16:00 GMT]
The leading monks of the JHU, Ven. Uduwe Damaloka Thera, Ven. Ellawala Methananda thera, Ven. Athureliye Ratthana Thera, and Ven. Kolannawe Sumangala addressed a press conference in downtown Colombo in connection with the submission of the nomination papers. Speaking at the press conference, Ven. Kolannawe Sumangala, the chief candidate of the JHU in Colombo said he considers the elections as a just war (Dhamma Yuddhaya) to safeguard the Sinhala nation and Buddhism.

Rev. Uduwe Dhammaloka thera addressing the press conference

Ven. Ellawela Methananda, said that politicians had not taken any interest in the Sinhala people after Sri Lankaís independence.

The general secretary of the JHU, Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka, widely considered the successor of the late Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera, said governments in Colombo had failed to protect Buddhism, referring to their current struggle to stop unethical conversions in Sri Lanka. He said Buddhist monks were contesting elections to safeguard the nation and to rid the country of power hungry politicians.

The JHU which is backed by the Sihala Urumaya (SU) is contesting in all the electoral districts in the island in the forthcoming parliamentary general election according to its Propaganda Secretary Mr.Champika Ranawake.

The majority of JHU candidates would be selected from the Buddhist clergy, according to Mr.Ranawake.



J.H.U. Rev.Uduway Dammaloka threa (R) Rev.Ellawala Medananda thera )Rev. Athuriyalay Rathnathera ( L) talks at the press conference table.





J.H.U. leading monks march to the G.A. office.