18.8.2008
The
Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, the Most Ven
Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thero and the Mahanayake Thero
of the Malwatte Chapter the Most.Ven Thibbotuwawe Sri
Sumangala Thero yesterday lauded the Government's efforts
to eradicate terrorism and bring peace to the country.
The
Mahanayake Theros made these comments when President Mahinda
Rajapaksa called on them and received their blessings
at the Asgiriya and Malwatu Viharayas in Kandy yesterday.
Most
Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thero said certain elements
were making a futile attempt to achieve narrow and petty
political gains by instigating university students while
the Forces were making tremendous progress in eradicating
terrorism.
The
prelate said certain elements with vested interests were
striving to create problems and cripple the Government's
endeavour to bring peace to the country by inciting students.
"These elements cannot bear when the Government is
making progress," he said.
"They
are trying to create rifts among the Sangha. What they
want is to cripple the country's stability and achieve
their petty political objectives.
Students
should identify these elements and evade them. Parents
should find out what their children are doing in the university
and no one should be allowed take them for a ride.
The
Opposition should not oppose for the sake of opposing.
They should get away from this habit of opposing everything
what the Government is doing".
The
Mahanayake Thero of the Malwatte Chapter Most.Ven Thibbotuwawe
Sri Sumangala Thero said the Government succeeded in organising
the SAARC Summit despite baseless allegations by certain
unscrupulous elements.
The
country achieved a great victory by hosting the SAARC
Summit and people irrespective of their political affiliations
should laud the Government's efforts, the Thero said.
President Rajapaksa told the Mahanayake Theros that certain
elements in the south were supporting the terrorists by
being behind the students' protest campaigns.
"I
am facing a great threat from terrorists and a terrorist
in the guise of protesting students could wreak havoc.
Police observed utmost restraint when the students were
trying to enter Temple Trees.
When
other available means failed, we had to employ force to
disperse the students trying to enter Temple Trees. All
students violently tried to enter Temple Trees even after
five of their representatives were informed that they
could have discussions with me. They tried to enter Temple
Trees putting my security at stake".
Elements
inciting students to violence and protest have ample opportunities
to have their agendas realised. Saving the country from
the terrorists should be top on our agenda," he said.
The
President Rajapaksa also called on the Chief Incumbent
of the Getambe Rajapavanoramaya Ven Keppetiyagoda Siri
Wimala Thero.
The
Thero said the President treaded a thorny path to ascend
to the top rung of the country and he has patience, fortitude
and perseverance to free the country from all woes.
President
Rajapaksa also donated three pairs of elephant tusks to
the Getambe Rajapavanoramaya yesterday. Environment and
Natural Resources Minister Patali Champaka Ranawaka was
also present.
Courtesy
: Daily News