UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara with Venerable Abanpola Gnanaloka Thera at the launch of the UNP affiliated Buddhist Organisation at Sirikotha. 
Pic by Pradeep Pathirana.   

• The party would be made a strong political entity once again based on a pro-Buddhist image

By Yohan Perera  

The UNP will continue with its rich tradition of obtaining advice from the Buddhist clergy pertaining to party matters and national issues, its Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijeyewardene said on Wednesday.   

Speaking during the relaunch of the UNP’ affiliated Buddhist organisation at party headquarters Sirikotha, Mr. Wijewardene said the party would be made a strong political entity once again based on a pro-Buddhist image.  
“ UNP is a party with a rich tradition of preserving Buddhist values. Our past leaders donated their own wealth for the betterment of Buddhism unlike other parties which makes use of Buddhism only to gain power. However, the UNP is labelled as an anti- Buddhist party. Our present leader was accused of being an anti- Buddhist. Some said he was a Christian. Our lea der had always acted as a Buddhist  wholeheartedly,” Mr. Wijewardene said.  
“ We will restore and maintain the UNP as a powerful entity based on the advice of the Buddhist clergy . We will work closely with other religious leaders as well,” he said.  

UNP Deputy Leader said he  was happy about the announcement made by UNP Senior Vice President- Sagala Ratnayake that the Buddhist organisation affiliated to the party would be expanded with island-wide branches.  
UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said the “The Priven Act’ which  was the only legislation which had not been amended to this date, had been introduced by the UNP. “ However, a  label was placed on us later, depicting us as anti- Buddhists. Monks have played a role in correcting this position,” he said.  
Several Buddhist monks and party members were present at the event.

• The Buddhist organisation affiliated to the party would be expanded with island-wide branches
• However, the UNP is labelled as an anti- Buddhist party. Our present leader was accused of being an anti- Buddhist