Milinda.org

The Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters urged a delegation of UNP political leaders to shed all political divides and work in amity towards rebuilding the tsunami-stricken nation.

They welcomed the consensus between President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to work in unity in the best interests of the country.

UNP parliamentarians Milinda Moragoda, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardhana and Ranjith Aluwihare called on the Chief of the Malwatta Chapter, the Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thera and the chief of the Asgiriya Chapter the Most Ven.Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Ratnapala Mahanayake Thera last Wednesday.

The Mahanayake Theras told the delegation that at this time of a grave national crisis, the people of the country should unite forgetting their political, religious, communal and caste differences to rehabilitate the tsunami victims in the North, East, West and South and to rebuild the country as a whole.

They said the destruction of a large number of viharas, kovils, churches and mosques in the tsunami, resulting in disruption of religious activities, should be rebuilt speedily to help the disaster victims.

Moragoda who led the delegation informed the Mahanayake Theras that the question of shedding political differences and working towards the common good of the country was being worked out within the ranks of the two parties.

A program of rebuilding the country unitedly was discussed between them and Minister Mangala Samaraweera and pledges were made recently, he said.

Diyawadana Nilame of the Dalada Maligawa was also present when the UNP delegation met the Mahanayake Theras.