JHU asks Ven. Rathana to give up UNP NL slot

* Speculation rife of possible legal action against the Thera

By Shamindra Ferdinando-January 18, 2017, 10:09 pm 

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) has requested Ven. Athureliya Rathana thera to give up his National List seat.

A senior party spokesperson told The Island that the party expected Ven. Rathana to quit in the wake of his controversial decision to function as an independent MP.

Asked whether the Ven thera had consulted party regarding his move, the spokesperson said that the UNP had accommodated him on the National List in accordance with an agreement signed between the UNP and the JHU in the run-up to parliamentary poll in Aug 2015.

The UNP and the JHU finalised the agreement at Temple Trees with the participation of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, UNP General Secretary Kabir Hashim and JHU members Patali Champika Ranawaka, Karu Paranavithana and Ven. Rathana.

Meanwhile, JHU Advisor Ven. Omalpe Sobitha thera told The Island that the party expected Ven. Rathana to vacate his National List slot to pursue an agenda of his own.

Ven. Rathana revealed his move last Monday. Ven. Rathana said that he would campaign against those seeking to undermine Sri Lanka’s unitary status and pursue agenda inimical to the country. Ven. Rathana also attacked the government and its top leaders over the ongoing moves to hold a referendum on proposed constitutional reforms.

JHU official said that they had consulted the UNP regarding the issue at hand and both parties were of the opinion that Ven. Rathana could engage in politics. However, Ven thera couldn’t pursue his new venture as a National List member of the UNP.

Political sources asserted that the UNP could seek legal remedy if Ven. Rathana refused to give up the National List slot.

Ven. Rathana made his move in the wake Puttalam District MP Priyankara Jayaratne distancing himself from the SLFP led by President Maithripala Sirisena.