UNP urges impartial inquiry into monk's murder

[TamilNet, Thursday, 17 May 2007, 10:50 GMT]
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) Thursday demanded the Sri Lanka government to order an impartial inquiry and to arrest the killers of Venerable Hathugamuwe Nandaratna Thera, Chief Priest of Mahadiulwewa Buddhist Raja Maha Vihare. The government should act with a sense of responsibility instead of making vague allegations against some elements for the murder, UNP said in a statement.

The Buddhist monk was shot and killed in front of his Vihare by unidentified armed men who came in a motorbike.

Meanwhile, the funeral of slain Venerable Hathugamuwe Nandaratna Thera was held at Mahadiulwewa Wednesday evening with large number of people in attendance.

UNP further described the killing of the Buddhist prelate as the most heinous crime committed in Sri Lanka after President Rajapakse assumed office.

Venerable Nandaratna Thera played a positive role in the Trincomalee district promoting better understanding between Tamils and Sinhalese and raised voice against the war, the statement said.