• “We stressed the need to resolve the issues affecting the people, but to no avail”

By Shane Seneviratne   

Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera said the government had turned a deaf ear to whatever advice of the Mahasangha and that it resulted in the present crisis that compelled the people to take to the streets. 

During a meeting with the representatives of the Kandy Sinhala Traders’ Front, he said the government failed in its duty to resolve the issues affecting the people.   
The Ven. Mahanayake Thera pointed out that the people had lost patience due to their weary wait in queues to buy gas, fuel, milk powder, food stuffs, and the spiralling cost of living and that they were now demonstrating their fury.   
“We stressed the need to resolve the issues affecting the people, but to no avail. The Mahanayake Theras had even forwarded a memorandum in this regard, However, the government had ignored our advice. As the Maha Sangha, we would not take to the streets, but we understand the predicament of the people,” Ven. Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera further said,  

President of the Kandy Sinhala Traders’ Front M.D.Chandrasena, Senior Vice President Yasas Chandrasekara and several office bearers were present on the occasion.  

• As the Maha Sangha, we would not take to the streets, but we understand the predicament of the people