Buddhist High Priests issue ultimatum for abrogating JM

[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 June 2005, 17:56 GMT]
High priests (Mahanayaka Theras) of all four Buddhist Chapters of Maha Sangha gave a 24-hour ultimatum to Sri Lanka's President Chandrika Kumaratunge to make a clear statement on whether she intends to abrogate the Joint Mechanism proposal, Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), an extremist party of Buddhist monks said in a press release issued Thursday night in Colombo, sources said. Buddhist prelates who reach the position of Mahanayake Theras play a vital role in the thinking of the Government in power.

Ven Buddharakhkhitha Thera of Asgiriya Chapter, Ven. Sri Sumangala Thera of Malwatte Chapter, Ven. Veweldeniye Medalankara Thera of Ramanna Chapter and Ven Galagodatte Gnanasara Thera of Amarapura Chapter have together made the demand, according to JHU press statement.

Statement issued by Jathika Hela Urumaya, Thursday.

The press release added that the Chapters have demanded Sri Lankan President to respond within 24 hours as the condition of Ven Omalpe Sobhita thera, who is on a fast to death campaign, is worsening.

The High Priests said, according to JHU, that Buddhist Chapters will widthdraw their blessings and refrain from attending State ceremonies if President proceeds to sign the Joint Mechanism.

Leaders of Sinhala dominated government and other political parties obtain advice from Mahanayake Theras on important national issues.

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