Sumangala Thero abandons hunger strike on Sajith’s request

Ven. Dr. Inguruwatte Sumangala Thero yesterday ended the hunger strike after New Democratic Front presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa requested the Thero to end the fast.

Ven. Sumangala Thera commenced an indefinite fast on 10 November at the Independence Square in Colombo, demanding the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa prove that he has cancelled his United States citizenship.

After the final election rally yesterday in Maradana, Minister Sajith Premadasa and several other ministers visited the fasting Thero at the Independence Square, where presidential candidate Premadasa appealed to the Thero to end the hunger strike.

After a doctor from the Colombo National Hospital visited the Thero and examined him, the Thera was taken to the hospital in a Suwa Seriya ambulance.

Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya yesterday said that fasting will not be allowed for any reason during the election silent period, which commenced from midnight Wednesday.