JHU will not ally if old crooks follow MR into the race

Chairman of the National Council for a Cleaner Tomorrow (Pivithuru Hetak) and JHU MP Athuraliye Rathana Thero yesterday insisited his party had no issue with Mahinda Rajapaksa contesting the next election, but would not ally with the UPFA if his ‘old crooks’ follow the ex president into the race.

The JHU monk strongly hinted that the party would start negotiations about allying with other parties if Rajapaksa cronies were afforded space within the UPFA again. 

Speaking at a Pivithuru Hetak press conference at the Foundation Institute yesteday, Rathana Thero said the JHU’s concern was who else would be granted nominations to contest under Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“If he contests with the old rogues, there is no way we will ally with the former coalition,” he said.

Rathana Thero said the JHU was willing to continue to be part of the Sirisena administration.

“We are also open to talking with the UNP,” he said.