The Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera yesterday said that since the election was over all must forget what was said on platforms and work together to develop the country.

“Now it is time to stop what was said on the political platforms. All must forget the differences and work together to develop the country,” the Chief Prelate said when UPFA parliamentarian S.B. Dissanayake called on him. The chief prelate also called for an impartial inquiry into the killing of a Bikkhu priest in the Gampola area on Election Day.

The Prelate told Mr. Dissanayake that he was informed about the incident by an Organization of Bikkhus and that whatever party the Bikkhu may be attached to, an impartial inquiry must be held into the killing. He said that there are Bikkhus who are involved in politics but that does not give anyone a licence to kill for the simple reason that he had a party office on his premises. “Here, a Bikku has been killed. There should be democratic freedom for such offices to be opened,” he added. The chief prelate noted that there were rumors going around that General Sarath Fonseka has been cornered and that he was going to be arrested. He said that he had spoken to the President about the rumors and wished to know whether the security provided to the General had been withdrawn in spite of his entitlement to have seventy security personnel at his disposal.”

Mr. Dissanayake clarifying matters told the prelate that there were rumours going around that the General was to be arrested, but that the government had no such intention. He added that the General’s security detail had not been reduced. “Neither were his guards going to be arrested. However, there had been a group soldiers who were on leave, with the General and also some army deserters .Regarding them there are still investigations in progress,” he noted.

Courtesy: Daily Mirror