Ven. Athuraliye quits key post ahead of crucial Central Committee meet

Tuesday, 18 November 2014 01:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Widely seen as a precursor to a major decision at his party’s Central Committee meeting, JHU Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thero quit as Chairman of the Divulapitiya Development Committee yesterday.

The Ven. Thero also returned the official vehicle he had been allocated for the position. The move came hours before the JHU Central Committee was set to meet to decide on whether it would continue to support the ruling UPFA coalition. Speaking to media personnel after resigning, Ven. Rathana Thero said his party had been pushing the Government towards reform, but the entreaties had not been heeded. “We asked the Government to bring constitutional amendments to reestablish independent commissions and to ensure the independence of the Judiciary, particularly in order to put an end to corruption,” he said. Despite his resignation, the JHU would continue to advocate for these reforms and continue the struggle, Ven. Rathana Thero noted. The JHU Central Committee meeting was scheduled to be held last evening. Decisions reached at the meeting could determine if the JHU will support the Government at a likely snap presidential poll. Proposals made by the hard-line Sinhala Buddhist party regarding constitutional change have been declined by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party following a series of discussions, the Daily FT learns.