Friday, December 03, 2004
JHU threatens to launch a fast-unto-death
Thursday, December 02, 2004
By Damitha Hemachandra
The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) yesterday threatened to launch a fast-unto-death from December 12 at 6 a.m., if the government failed to revive the commission of inquiry appointed to investigate the death of the Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday JHU Deputy Leader, Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera said the government had conveniently forgotten its pledge to investigate into the death of Ven. Soma Thera.
" Instead they are getting ready for a big tamasha," he said. He condemned the failure of the government to pay its respect to a great son of the nation, who tried to breathe a new life to the nation and Buddhism.
The Ven. Thera pointed out it was improper to hold a huge concert while many religious groups including the Janavijaya Foundation, the JHU and the Vajiragnana and Vajirarama temple are organizing religious programmes to commemorate the death of Ven. Soma Thera.
Ven. Sobhitha Thera said he was publicly informing the President, Prime Minister and Mahanayaka Theras they would launch a fast unto death campaign if the government failed to respond positively by 6 a.m. on December 12.
The President, who appointed a commission to look into the sudden death of Ven. Soma Thera in Russia last year following great pressure from the Jathika Sangha Sammelanaya had later dissolved the commission prior to the conclusion of its investigation.
Meanwhile Ven. Sobhitha Thera also called upon the government to cancel the liquor licences granted to private supermarkets and Sathosa retail shops, as an act of gratitude to Ven. Soma Thera, who campaigned against alcohol.
"It is disgraceful to see alcohol being considered a day-to-day essential item sold along with sugar, rice and milk powder," he said adding that this is an attempt to conventionalise alcoholism in Sri Lankan society.
By Damitha Hemachandra
The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) yesterday threatened to launch a fast-unto-death from December 12 at 6 a.m., if the government failed to revive the commission of inquiry appointed to investigate the death of the Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday JHU Deputy Leader, Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera said the government had conveniently forgotten its pledge to investigate into the death of Ven. Soma Thera.
" Instead they are getting ready for a big tamasha," he said. He condemned the failure of the government to pay its respect to a great son of the nation, who tried to breathe a new life to the nation and Buddhism.
The Ven. Thera pointed out it was improper to hold a huge concert while many religious groups including the Janavijaya Foundation, the JHU and the Vajiragnana and Vajirarama temple are organizing religious programmes to commemorate the death of Ven. Soma Thera.
Ven. Sobhitha Thera said he was publicly informing the President, Prime Minister and Mahanayaka Theras they would launch a fast unto death campaign if the government failed to respond positively by 6 a.m. on December 12.
The President, who appointed a commission to look into the sudden death of Ven. Soma Thera in Russia last year following great pressure from the Jathika Sangha Sammelanaya had later dissolved the commission prior to the conclusion of its investigation.
Meanwhile Ven. Sobhitha Thera also called upon the government to cancel the liquor licences granted to private supermarkets and Sathosa retail shops, as an act of gratitude to Ven. Soma Thera, who campaigned against alcohol.
"It is disgraceful to see alcohol being considered a day-to-day essential item sold along with sugar, rice and milk powder," he said adding that this is an attempt to conventionalise alcoholism in Sri Lankan society.
