Kandy - The Mahanayake Theras of Malwatte and Asgiriya advised politicians to refrain from using religious symbols in their political campaigns.

Most Venerable Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of Malwatte and Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya said that photographs of places of worship and pictures of objects of worship should not be used on posters and handbills in the political campaign during election times.

The prelates said that they had found posters of some candidates at the forthcoming Central Provincial Council election with pictures of places of worship and objects of veneration.

"This should be condemned and vehimently opposed," they stressed, when the former Deputy Minister of Defence Gen. Anuruddha Ratwatta and his son Lohan Ratwatte contesting the Central Provincial Council election on the UPFA ticket called on the prelates last week.

The Mahanayake Theras said that posters and other publicity materials used in the political campaign could be put up and displayed at unsuitable places. The objects of veneration are dishonoured as a result.

The Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Mahanayake Thera said that election campaigns should be conducted in a peaceful manner.

There is a national demand for the participation of young people in the political arena of the country, the prelate said blessing Lohan Ratwatte.