JHU faction quits party to support Fonseka

[TamilNet, Friday, 15 January 2010, 12:31 GMT]
Seven leading Buddhist monks holding important posts in the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a constituent of ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) led by Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse pledged their support to Opposition Common Candidate General Sarath Fonseka in the forthcoming presidential election, reports from Colombo said.

Venerable Galagodawatte Gnanasara Thera, Secretary of JHU, Venerable Udahamulle Sirivimala Thera, Central committee member and, Venerable Kalubowila Kusalagnana Thera, Deputy Finance Secretary summoned a media conference Thursday and announced that they are leaving the party.

Venerable Galagodawatte Gnanasara Thera said his group took this collective decision as they could not tolerate further the cheating, corruption, indiscipline and lawlessness by the present government led by Mahinda Rajapakse. People were patient when the war was executed without expressing opposition to the high cost of living. Since the war ended eight months ago people are still undergoing untold suffering due to the increased cost of living. This situation cannot be allowed to continue, he added.

Deputy Finance Secretary of the JHU, Venerable Kalubowila Kusalagnana Thera claimed that they were disappointed by the choices made by other members in the party and if they don’t take the right decision the country will continue to suffer for the next six years as well.

JHU Organizer for Bentota and Elpitiya, Venerable Migettuwatte Sumiththa Thera, JHU Deputy Organizer for Galle District, Venerable Agalugalle Siri Jinnananda Thera, and organizer for the Matara District, Ven. Mulatiyana Dhammasena Thera, and coordinator for Moneragala district, Ven. Mandaram Nuwera Upali Thera also said they were leaving the party to support General Sarath Forth Fonseka.