Good Governance Rattled By Rathana’s Exit
by Ashanthi Warunasuriya
- Athuraliye Rathana Thero played a key role in bringing the current government to power
- Spearheads a broad social movement to influence the government on national issues
The government of Good Governance has been rattled by the exit of the Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero, a key member of the team behind pushing for support for Maithripala Sirisena at the 2015 Presidential elections.
Athuraliye Rathana Thero decided to withdraw his support to the government on the basis that the government has changed tracks and has failed to keep its commitments given at the 2015 election.
Former JHU strongman Udaya Gammanpilla said that like the Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero, other members of the government should also begin to see the true colours of the government.
Deputy Media Minister Karunarathna Paranawithana, co-chairman of the JHU said that he could not comment on the decision taken by the Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero to sit as an independent member in Parliament. He said that the central committee of the party will discuss the matter in the next few days.
Former JHU leader, the Venerable Omalpe Sobitah Thero said that Athuraliye Rathana Thero played a key role in bringing the current government to power. However he noted that two years after the government took office, several serious shortcomings have been noted.
Omalpe Sobitah Thero said the decision taken by Athuraliye Rathana Thero to send a signal to government will have more weight if he resigns from his Parliament seat and not just sit in Parliament as an independent MP.
The Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero was a notable absentee at some key events of the JHU over the past few months but the JHU had insisted there is no rift in the party.
Justifying his decision to sit independently in Parliament, the Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero said that he decided to act independently in Parliament as he is fed up with the disappointing conduct of the present government. He said he will continue to spearhead a broad social movement to influence the government on national issues while working as an independent MP in Parliament.
Athuraliye Rathana Thero statement indicates that his move was not a hasty decision but something that had been brewing in his mind for a long time. The monk said that the conduct of the two main political parties in the coalition was not in line with his political philosophy. Athuraliye Rathana Thero said that there was a need for a third-force which could rebuild the country without the assistance of the two main parties.
According to sources, Athuraliye Rathana Thero is currently engaged in an attempt to rally civil society organisations, including the movement for a fair and just society into a common platform.
After the recent Parliamentary Elections, Rathana thero was offered a seat in Parliament under the UNP National List. After the formulation of the government, his confrontations against the ruling coalition on issues such as decentralisation of powers, abolition of the Executive Presidency and agricultural and environmental policies went public.
The monk claims that the committee appointed to draft a new Constitution for the country has submitted proposals which could harm the unitary status of Sri Lanka.
“I would invite all the intellectuals to form a national Assembly to act as an alternative Parliament. We will continue to raise the awareness among the public on these issues. I do not have a political party now. No one should be angry with me.” Athuraliye Rathana Thero said that the 99 year lease given to a Chinese company on the Hambantota port is a crime.
When queried on the UNP’s response regarding the matter, Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that the UNP has no issue with Athuraliye Rathana Thero decision to act as an independent MP. He said that it would not cause any impact on the future of the government.
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Parliamentarian Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that the move by Athuraliye Rathana Thero is a clear indication to the fact that both the UNP and the SLFP are unable to rebuild the country, neither individually or jointly.
“Athuraliye Rathana Thero has pointed out the necessity of a third force. The JVP is already engaged in an effort to rally the people to such a front. If Athuraliye Rathana Thero has a genuine wish for a change, he could support such a cause. Other than that, little can be achieved by starting individual movements. A movement should be formed for a strong political motive,” MP Jayatissa said.
At this moment no one could say for certain if Athuraliye Rathana Thero’s decision to sit as an independent MP was backed by genuine concerns about the nation.
Civil rights activist Gamini Viyangoda however said he did not support Athuraliye Rathana Thero’s decision. He said that the move by the outspoken monk at this time could promote communal hatred.
The JHU was among those who signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United National Party (UNP) in 2015 ahead of the August 2015 Parliament elections.
Jathika Hela Urumaya General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka and JHU Chairman the venerable Athureliya Rathana Thero signed the MOU on behalf of the JHU.
Members of the breakaway faction of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party led by Rajitha Senaratne, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and civil society members also signed the MOU with the UNP.
The MOU was signed to ensure the revolution achieved on 8, January during the Presidential election is protected. The MOU was also meant to prevent former President Mahinda Rajapaksa from returning to power