Monks to broker peace between Sajith and Council

Wednesday, 6 November 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Karu Jayasuriya is no traitor says Bhikku Front Chairman
Council Chairman and members obtain blessings from UBF monks at Colpetty temple

Buddhists monks of the United Bhikku Front will try to broker a compromise between UNP MP Sajith Premadasa and his reformist faction and urge them to accept the Leadership Council as the way forward, Council members said yesterday.

Although one Bhikku Front member had criticised the Council as being filled with Ranil Wickremesinghe loyalists, that was only a personal opinion, Council Member and Party Vice Chairman Lakshman Kiriella said. The Bhikku Front is happy at the adoption of its eight-point proposal at Monday’s Working Committee meeting, Kiriella noted. He added that the Council Members had worshiped at the historic Polwatte temple and obtained the blessings of United Bhikku Front monks including Anunayake Girambe Ananda Thero, Kiriella emphasised. “Speak to them. Ask them if they are unhappy,” Kiriella urged. Meanwhile United Bhikku Front Chairman Meetiyagoda Guneratne Thero said yesterday that those who called Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya a traitor were grossly misguided. “There has been no betrayal by Karu Jayasuriya. Anyone who says that needs to have their minds checked,” the UBF Chairman said, adding that Jayasuriya had arrived at the Polwatte Temple yesterday morning to get the monks’ blessings. “Jayasuriya is a free thinker and no traitor to anyone. The UNP has begun a new journey today under his leadership. It is everyone’s duty to join hands to support this Council,” the Thero told reporters. (DB)