KANDY: Most Venerable Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thero of the Malwatte Chapter told the JVP dissidents led by Wimal Weerawansa, MP yesterday that they should extend their support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Weerawanse said his group had no intention of joining any existing political party.

He said the dissidents were ready to resolve the JVP’s internal dispute if the party leadership removed a group of conspirators whom he didn’t name.

However, Weerawansa told the prelate that he and his team would work for protecting the country.

Weerawansa told the Mahanayake Thero that his team would remain as an independent group until a settlement was reached with the leadership of the party.

The prelate said the President was committed to developing the country. The decisions taken by the President were prudent deserved support. Therefore, he said if the JVP dissidents failed to sort out their problems with the party, they should support the President.

The thera said though some political parties had existed for decades, they had not rendered any service to the country.

He said leaders like N. M. Perera and Philip Gunawardena had joined forces with the major political parties and contributed to nation building.

At this juncture, said the prelate, it was the duty of everyone to support the President in his efforts to wipe out terrorism, solve the conflict and develop the country.

JVP dissidents paid their homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Malagawa.

Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara welcomed the MPs.

The group also called on the the prelate of Asgiriya Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thero.