Thursday, June 23, 2005
President failed to keep pledge to discuss JM
Ven Omalpe Sobitha Thera writes to the Mahanayakas
By D. Hemachandra
Thursday, June 23, 2005
The General Secretary of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera, in a letter to the four Mahanayakas of the four chapters, pointed out that the President had failed to keep her pledge to discuss the Post –Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS) with the Mahanayaka Theras prior to signing it.
The Thera said, “Norwegians, the movers of the P-TOMS had stated that the composition of the agreement could not be changed to facilitate more Muslim involvement and it is clear that the agreement would not be altered to facilitate the opinions and suggestions of the Maha Nayaka Theras or any other group other than the President and LTTE,”.
Therefore Ven. Sobitha Thera maintained that the President’s pledge of presenting the P-TOMS to the Mahanayaka Theras would be a useless act if its composition could not be revised after gaining their suggestions and opinions.
He also said that the coastal line of the North and Eastern provinces with its defense facilities, infrastructure and Sinhala Buddhist archaeology would be handed over to the administration of the LTTE, according to the P-TOMS draft, published in newspapers.
“However it does not mention any disarmament of the LTTE or of LTTE taking to the democratic path,” Ven. Thera said.
While reminding the Mahanayaka Theras of their early pledge to lead the masses against the P-TOMS if it proved to be undemocratic and disastrous to the nation, Ven Sobitha alleged that the President is continuing in her autocratic and stubborn manner disregarding the views of the public and Maha Sangha, despite her pledge to Mahanayaka Threas.
Mahanayaka of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera, Mahanayaka of the Malawattu Chapter, Most Ven. Thibbotuwe Sri Siddhartha Thera, Mahanayaka of the Ramanna Chapter Most Ven. Wewaldeniya Medhalankara Thera and Mahanayaka of the Amarapura Chapter Most Ven. Dauldeniya Gnanissara Thera in a common statement urged Ven Sobitha Thera to abandon his fast-unto-death against the P-TOMS based on the pledge given by the President that she would be discussing the P-TOMS draft with them prior to sign it.
By D. Hemachandra
Thursday, June 23, 2005
The General Secretary of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera, in a letter to the four Mahanayakas of the four chapters, pointed out that the President had failed to keep her pledge to discuss the Post –Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS) with the Mahanayaka Theras prior to signing it.
The Thera said, “Norwegians, the movers of the P-TOMS had stated that the composition of the agreement could not be changed to facilitate more Muslim involvement and it is clear that the agreement would not be altered to facilitate the opinions and suggestions of the Maha Nayaka Theras or any other group other than the President and LTTE,”.
Therefore Ven. Sobitha Thera maintained that the President’s pledge of presenting the P-TOMS to the Mahanayaka Theras would be a useless act if its composition could not be revised after gaining their suggestions and opinions.
He also said that the coastal line of the North and Eastern provinces with its defense facilities, infrastructure and Sinhala Buddhist archaeology would be handed over to the administration of the LTTE, according to the P-TOMS draft, published in newspapers.
“However it does not mention any disarmament of the LTTE or of LTTE taking to the democratic path,” Ven. Thera said.
While reminding the Mahanayaka Theras of their early pledge to lead the masses against the P-TOMS if it proved to be undemocratic and disastrous to the nation, Ven Sobitha alleged that the President is continuing in her autocratic and stubborn manner disregarding the views of the public and Maha Sangha, despite her pledge to Mahanayaka Threas.
Mahanayaka of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera, Mahanayaka of the Malawattu Chapter, Most Ven. Thibbotuwe Sri Siddhartha Thera, Mahanayaka of the Ramanna Chapter Most Ven. Wewaldeniya Medhalankara Thera and Mahanayaka of the Amarapura Chapter Most Ven. Dauldeniya Gnanissara Thera in a common statement urged Ven Sobitha Thera to abandon his fast-unto-death against the P-TOMS based on the pledge given by the President that she would be discussing the P-TOMS draft with them prior to sign it.
