Prelate urges President to give nominations to the credible and honest

Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe

By Lahiru Pothmulla 

 
Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera yesterday asked President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to ensure that only the credible and honest candidates with a proper vision would be given nominations to contest the upcoming General Elections.   

Ven. Dhammananda Thera, Chief Lekakadikari of the Asgiri Chapter of Siam Maha Nikaya, expressed these views at a function organised by the Yuthukama Organisation and held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo.   

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the Chief Guest of the event where the organisation’s head Gevindu Kumaratunga presented a set of proposals that should be considered when formulating a new Constitution of the country.   

Delivering a special sermon, Ven. Dhammananda Thera said it was vital to ensure that candidates are practical as well.   “If not, the opponents will ask from us, the Sangha community, whether the change was favourable? (Wenasa Sapada). Therefore, it is vital to ensure only the credible candidates will be given nominations,” the prelate said.   

The Yuthukama Organisation has prepared their proposals with five objectives; the rebuilding of the civilizational state, true public representation and the sovereignty of the people, consolidation of a unitary Sri Lanka, ensuring balance between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary and to build a society which values responsibilities.   

During this event, the President presented felicitation awards to Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara and President’s Counsel Manohara de Silva in recognition of their service to the nation.   
The Maha Sangha including the Chief Incumbent of the Narahenpita Abhayaramaya Vihara Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera, Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera, Ministers Bandula Gunawardana, Gamini Lokuge, Dayasiri Jayasekara, MPs, Professor.G.L.Piris, academics, artistes, and other dignitaries participated on this occasion.

If not, the opponents will ask from us, the Sangha community, whether the change was favourable? (Wenasa Sapada)