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| Malwatte Nayaka Thera wants all groups
to unite to thwart future attempts to pass draft From
Cyril Wimalasurendre Ven. Vipassi Mahanayake Thera said that he strongly advised political groups of Sri Lanka to merge at least at times of issues of national importance arising, like the controversy over the proposed Constitutional Reforms. The prelate made these statements in the course of a conversation with Sinhala Mahas-ammatha Bhoo-miputhra Pakshaya (SMBP) leads Dr. Harischandra Wijetunge yesterday (11). The Mahanayake Thera praised the various political groups, organisations and the Maha Sangha who opposed the constitutional reforms of the government and also paid a tribute to the government for withdrawing the attempt to pass in parliament the controversial bill. The prelate said, even King Dutuge-munu obtained the advice of the Sangha before launching offensive against the enemy. He did so not because the Sangha went to fight. It was customary to receive the advice and guidance of the Sangha. Due to disunity among the people nothing worthwhile happened in Sri Lanka for the last half a century of freedom. The bane of the country is party politics, the prelate said. Nothing tangible took place for the past 50 years as the politicians lacked patriotism. Other than D. S. Senanayake no one could do some service to the country. Of course Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike made an attempt to develop the country. But she came across stiff opposition, the prelate added. Dr. Harischandra Wijetunge praised the leadership of the Mahanayake Thera and the other prelates for their unstinted efforts launched against the government’s attempt to pass the constitutional reforms. He said the Sinhala race was indebted to the Mahanayake Theras and the Maha Sangha in general. One should not forget the fact that the Maha Sangha advised the rulers of this country for the past 2500 years, Dr. Wijetunge observed. Messrs Sudath Gunasekera and Abaya Ariyasinghe accompanied Dr. Wijetunge. |
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