Monk withdraws from elections

14 January 2010 08:43 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 40 Bookmark

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The Venerable Batharamulle Seelaratana Thera, who was contesting the presidential election from the Janasetha Peramuna, said he had decided to withdraw from the race and support President Mahinda Rajapaksa unconditionally.

The Buddhist monk told Daily Mirror that he decided to support the president after having discussions with the President at Temple Trees last night. (YP)

Comments - 40

Thursday, 14 January 2010 01:59 PM

What would be the fate of the country if a monk became President?

0 1

Thursday, 14 January 2010 11:09 AM

It is sad that religious leaders are geeting involved in politics and taking sides without resorting to the real teachings of religion to educate people. Politics inculcate violance and destruction and no religion would endorse such acts. JHU should be ashamed for bringing disrepute to buddhist priests at large and not delivering what they promised to get elected.

1 24

Thursday, 14 January 2010 11:11 AM

last night or night before nomination

2 7

Thursday, 14 January 2010 11:15 AM

Yeah right- this monk would not even have got the votes of his own Dayakayas!!

6 33

Thursday, 14 January 2010 11:15 AM

Wonder how many votes this monk would have got ,if contested ? 5 million ? Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha !

7 26

Thursday, 14 January 2010 11:26 AM

Mahinda will get a one vote more..he even hv any vote base..forget about voters..he doesnt even have people to give him alms

3 11

Thursday, 14 January 2010 12:21 PM

The whole island knows what the result going to be, except those living in a fantasy world.................

7 11

Thursday, 14 January 2010 12:43 PM

I think he realised that he cant win with the two main contenders carrying out an aggressive campaign. I know he will come in 2017 with a better campaign and will win the presidency.

24 4

Thursday, 14 January 2010 01:05 PM

The reverend monks should safeguard their dignity and piety for the sake of millions of their followers! One single monk, of this calibre, can put the entire priesthood into disrepute!

0 3

Thursday, 14 January 2010 01:29 PM

Buddhist monks must keep out of politics! If they want to serve the people, they should do so only as prescribed by Lord Buddha. Monks must not get involved in any business activities either.

0 6

Thursday, 14 January 2010 11:02 AM

Another puppet showing his true colours!

10 29

Thursday, 14 January 2010 02:40 PM

Not only this venerable thera, but also all Buddhist monks of the JHU, should completely withdraw to their aranyas and reflect on their great betrayal, perpetrated against the noble teachings of Lord Buddha! The damage they have already done, is irreparable!

1 6

Thursday, 14 January 2010 03:05 PM

All these are preplanned arrangements ...

0 1

Thursday, 14 January 2010 04:52 PM

He should not have come forward, at all!

0 0

Thursday, 14 January 2010 07:52 PM

I think he was a tactical candidate ... Now he can devote his TV/Radio on supporting MR ... Same with Mr. Kongahage!

2 3

Thursday, 14 January 2010 08:23 PM

Who is he?

0 4

Thursday, 14 January 2010 10:42 PM

This was obvious from the start! Others too, will follow! The majority of Sri Lankans are not fools!

1 3

Thursday, 14 January 2010 10:44 PM

NOW HE WILL COME ON STAGE AND SAY I WITHDREW FOR THE SAKE OF THE COUNTRY! BLAH ... BLAH ... AND NOW SUPPORT ... !

1 6

Thursday, 14 January 2010 11:16 PM

What are the monks doing taking sides in politics, anyway? Why are lay people, encouraging this wrong conduct? What will become of Sri Lanka?

0 7

Friday, 15 January 2010 06:51 AM

LOL... you know that for a fact? Keep dreaming..

0 0

Thursday, 14 January 2010 09:40 AM

Most of the others too will withdraw, and support either MR or SF, in due course. It is all planned; deposits being paid by the two chief candidates!

1 6

Thursday, 14 January 2010 09:13 AM

Why the change of heart - what happened so suddenly ?? Can we guess ? Desperate people gather even a few votes.

19 71

Thursday, 14 January 2010 09:15 AM

Nice way to save face. Pl. go to the temple and meditate.
Good bye to your deposit, I suppose!

19 99

Thursday, 14 January 2010 09:15 AM

Great move!! Support MR the greatest of all!

170 36

Thursday, 14 January 2010 09:27 AM

To get his deposit back ...

2 3

Thursday, 14 January 2010 09:27 AM

Nothing new in this ... it was on the cards! There will be two more, including Sarath Konegahge - just to hoodwink the general public and show how popular Mahinda is!

5 15

Thursday, 14 January 2010 09:30 AM

A monk's proper place is the temple! Monks can't be politicians, and politicians can't be monks.

3 18

Thursday, 14 January 2010 09:36 AM

Makes no difference! Had he stayed in the race, he would have been another 'also ran' candidate.

3 3

Thursday, 14 January 2010 09:38 AM

Good!

15 5

Thursday, 14 January 2010 09:40 AM

For Sri Lanka to prosper, I think all religious leaders should simply stick to their calling (i.e. preaching and practicing religion), instead of getting involved in politics!

1 10

Thursday, 14 January 2010 09:09 AM

In 2005 he worked very hard for Mahinda in the southern province. I was surprised WHY he was now contesting against Mahinda?? This Monk now is of the same calibre of politicians by changing sides.

21 77

Thursday, 14 January 2010 09:41 AM

Wait and see how many would withdraw, out of the 21 left now!

1 2

Thursday, 14 January 2010 09:43 AM

I guess he saw what happened to Amila thera, and would have got scared, for sure!

2 6

Thursday, 14 January 2010 09:53 AM

I think we should ban all religious leaders from contesting any election!

5 13

Thursday, 14 January 2010 09:56 AM

This move seems to have been preplanned!

1 1

Thursday, 14 January 2010 10:01 AM

HOW BIG IS THE 'CONSIDERATION' ?

1 8

Thursday, 14 January 2010 10:07 AM

Please keep the respect for the SIVURA!

1 6

Thursday, 14 January 2010 10:10 AM

THAT'S GOOD NEWS! YOU SHOULD ALSO WITHDRAW FROM POLITICS AND ENGAGE IN SPIRITUALITY!

1 8

Thursday, 14 January 2010 10:41 AM

This move was expected! There will be more to follow, before the 26th.

2 3

Thursday, 14 January 2010 10:56 AM

Lord Budha renounced politics and worldly life to become what he was in his later life. But these fellows do things the other way about! Whay are they becoming monks in the first place? Can anyone explain? I am really perplexed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 33

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