Chief Sangha Nayake of Dakshina Lanka Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera yesterday said that he requested the government not to wreak vengeance using political power.
He said since Gotabaya, Mahinda, Patali and Udaya were brothers who shared the same ideology, they should be united to plan a course of action to develop the country.
Speaking at a press conference at Solil Hotel in Pitakotte he further said that Gotabaya Rajapaksa became the president as a result of a Sinhala Buddhist movement. In such a background, political vendetta, personal animosities and suppression of defeated parties cannot be acceptable.
We gave the same set of instructions to rulers in the years of 2005, 2010 and 2015. There is no need to repeat about the tragedy of previous governments who acted in such a manner. People never approved how Shirani Bandaranayaka and Sarath Fonseka were treated.
I do not believe that the actions taken with regards to the conduct of the former Minister Champika Ranawaka are based on the President’s orders. These actions have been taken based on revengeful motives and without a legal basis. Champika Ranawaka is a giant in the national movement of the country. He received gold medals for fulfilling his duties of Ministries well. The president himself had said that he was a unique Minister. If there is any problem, fair legal actions should be taken.
Jathika Hela Urumaya Co-Chairman, Ven Hedigalle Wimalasara Thera said that the former Minister Patali Champika has been subject to mud-slinging ever since the Presidential Election ended. The court has said that Ranawaka was neither a suspect nor a witness in the Rajagiriya accident case.
The Police is looking into the incident after three years and it is quite surprising. We suspect if terror in 2015 might return. if there is re-investigation that should be based on law. We regard Champika Ranawaka as a leader who has dedicated his whole life in order to strengthen the national movement of the country. If there is any attempt to harm him, the responsibility to safeguard him lies within us.
Patali Champika said that the injured person would be given treatments in Singapore at his own expenses. However, he could not do so, since there were allegations that he was trying to influence the witnesses.
Anunayaka of Amarapura Nikaya Ven. Nikapotha Chandrajothi Thero, Anunayaka of Rajawatta Vappa Amarapura Siri Saddhammavansa Maha Nikaya and the Director of the National Children’s Educational Foundation Ven. Bandagiriye Somawansa Thero and the Deputy Lekhakadhikari of Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, Ven. Waleboda Gunasiri Thero associated at this press conference.
