MS praises Ven. Sobitha, CBK for regime change 

May 30, 2015, 9:34 am

Ven. Sobitha thera handing over his ten-year plan to develop the country to President Maithripala Sirisena (Pic by Dimuthu Premaratne

By Harischandra Gunaratna

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said that Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha had been instrumental effecting a regime change in the country at the risk of life and limb in the name of democracy.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 73rd birthday of Ven. Sobhitha Thera and release of his biography titled, ‘Isiwara manasaka thunkal dekma’ at the BMICH, the President said Ven. Sobhitha had worked tirelessly to achieve the goal of restoring good governance.

President Sirisena also paid a tribute to former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga for having mobilised the pro-people forces to save the country.

Ven. Sobitha said, "I have not given up my campaign and President Sirisena should adopt 20th Amendment to the Constitution and then go for an election; the Opposition should extend its fullest co-operation in this regard. He said the present electoral system was flawed and after introducing the electoral reforms, the party leaders must not give nominations to anti-social elements.

Under the previous regime the judiciary had been controlled by government leaders. Judges had not been allowed to act impartially, but today that era was over, the Thera said, adding that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption and the police had been compelled to act according to the whims and fancies of the former government. A politician had thrown a party to celebrate his having slept with the 100th woman and it had been attended by some top level politicians, he added.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Ven. Sobitha had fought his battles not with bullets but with words. He was an intrepid monk and those who attempted to suppress him during the run-up to the Presidential election had failed in their endeavour.

Prof. Sarath Wijesuriya said that one of the worst blunders committed by Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga as President had been to appoint Sarath N. Silva Chief Justice overlooking Justice Mark Fernando, who was the most qualified and suitable candidate for the post. "But I am happy that Ms Kumaratunga made amends by playing a pivotal role in the campaign to ensure the election of President Maithripala Sirisena."