Think of country’s well-being

Asgiriya, Malwatte Prelates tell Mangala, Sripathi:

Indika POLKOTUWA

KANDY: The Prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters have admonished both ex Ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Suriarachchi to return to the Government fold,at a critical time the country was facing, if they have any concern and care for the well-being of the country.

If there were issues with conflicting interest, those could be resolved through dialogue.

It is incorrect and improper to deviate from the path of discussion as that gives rise to further issues, the Maha Nayaka Theras of the two Chapters have pointed out to the two former Ministers when they made a courtesy call to the two Most Venerable Monks in Kandy.

The two former Ministers held discussions with the Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddartha Sumangala Maha Nayaka Thera of the Malwatta Chapter and Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha, Maha Nayaka Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter and Most Ven. Galagama Sri Aththadassi, the Anunayaka Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter.

Speaking to the two former Ministers, the Prelate of the Malwatta Chapter pointed out that they both could have met him earlier but it was now too late for them to meet him.

The Prelate said further that the duo could have accepted any Ministerial post that came their way and worked for the country. What they should have done was to be within the Government and resolve their issue through discussions. The Maha Nayaka Thera advised them to go back and work with the Government.

The Maha Nayaka Thera of the Malwatta Chapter expressing views about the pattern of elections and the political parties that emerge like mushrooms said that the time has come to reduce the number of political parties operating in the country.

When the duo met the Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter, the Most Ven. Maha Nayaka Thera stressed the need to work together without leaving the Government at this crucial time.

“We have always underlined the importance of all political parties working together to develop the country. If there inner-fights and bickering within the political parties that will have a bad impact and the country would be doomed and those opposing the well-being of the country would benefit.

“The SLFP and the UNP are two key political parties in this country. We should not allow anyone to cause damage to these political parties”, the Asgiriya Prelate added.

Most Ven. Galagama Sri Aththadassi, the Anunayaka Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter pointed out that the SLFP was a political party that has done much for the development of this country and one should not work to create divisions within that Party.

“If divisions are created that would help those keen on dividing this country”, the Nayaka Thera warned.

North Western Provincial Member Ms. Upulangani Malagamuwa and Tiran Alles were also present.