By Franklin. R. Satyapalan
There was no clear word yesterday on the accuracy of newspaper reports that Harendra Balapatabendi, son of Presidential Secretary, K. Balapatabendi, will not be a runner in the race for the post of Basnayaka Nilame of the Kataragama Devalaya.

Neither Balapatabendi Jr. nor his father were available for comment on the report. There was an alms giving in the Balapatabendi residence yesterday, and neither father nor son could be reached on the phone.

The election is due on January 11 and in the absence of prior nominations being received, nobody was sure yesterday how many contenders would actually enter the fray.

The Basnayake Nilame of the Devundera Vishnu Devalaya, Mr. Bandula Wijesinghe, who has announced his candidature said last week that he will be going to court on Monday seeking an enjoining order postponing the election.

Wijesinghe discounted rumours that he was withdrawing from the contest and said "I am still there."

As the election day approached, Kataragama was crowded with politicians including ministers and deputy ministers and the hottest topic of conversation was the forthcoming election. Several underworld characters were also seen at Kataragama during this period.

Those who have announced their candidature including Balapatabendi, Wijesinghe, Yasasiri Kasturiaratchy of the Yasodha Group, who was the last incumbent (there is an acting Basnayake Nilame now) and is seeking re-election, Sisira Paranagama, Basnayake Nilame of the Welle Devale in Galle, Asoka Wickremasinghe, Kataragama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman (UNP), and ex-UNP minister and former Basnayake Nilame Dharmadasa Banda. He represented an electorate in the Moneragala District where Kataragama is located.

Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs D. P. Heenatimulla, who will conduct the election confirmed that until candidates are proposed and seconded by the 17-member electoral college, who the runners are cannot be clearly identified.

The electoral college consist of the 11 divisional secretaries of the Moneragala District, the custodians of the four viharas of Kataragama, the trustees of the two devales and the incumbent Acting Basnayake Nilame, Mr. Dickson Delabandara.

Kasturiaratchy was returned uncontested at the last election with the only other aspirant, a Kapumahattaya at the Sella Kataragama Pattini Devale, not having his nomination seconded.

The only qualification required to stand for election is that the aspirant should be a Sinhala Buddhist. Asked whether caste was a factor, Heenatimulla said: "It is not in the Act."

Among the ministers who were at Kataragama in the last few days were Messrs. Mahinda Rajapakse, Nimal Siripala de Silva, G. L. Peiris, Sumedha Jayasena, Mangala Samaraweera and S. B. Dissanayake. Ex minister Kingsley T. Wickremaratne, and Presidential Secretary Balapatabendi and his son were also at Kataragama on December 31/January 1.

Several deputy ministers including Chamal Rajapakse, Mervyn de Silva, Wijithamuni Soysa were also there for poojas and ceremonies connected with the New Year.

Acting Basnayake Nilame Delabandara,who is a voter on the electoral college and not running for election, expressed the hope that the traditions would prevail and the Devale properly administered.

"Unfortunately the position of Basnayake Nilame has been politicised and commercialised some years ago and the fact that this was not put to right subsequently had caused a great deal of damage to the Devale," he said.

He called upon the next incumbent of this prestigious position, "whoever it may be," to work according to a plan and maintain the ancient traditions of Kataragama and help the thousands of the poor in the area.

"I do not wish to preach, but call upon whoever is elected to do his duty by the Devale and visit Kataragama at least four times a month to ensure its proper administration," he said.