Rathana Thera to abstain from voting

4 April 2018 02:45 pm - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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United National Front (UNF) MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said he would abstain from voting for the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He told Parliament that the no-faith motion was brought in against an act of misusing state funds and added that even though he could not come to a conclusion until the court decide the culprit, as a Buddhist monk, he could not vote against or in favour of the motion.

“It is not acceptable for a Buddhist monk to engage in or support fraud and corruption. I cannot vote against or in favour of the motion,” he said. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 30

Be Fair Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:01 PM

With due respect, the very reason, the Rev. Monk should be in Temple giving sermons to citizens to become better. Wrong Place, Wrong time

Ex-Voter Wednesday, 04 April 2018 05:13 PM

He was always a dilemma!!!!

Gamarala Wednesday, 04 April 2018 07:05 PM

Then, how can he make money? With corrupt politicians like RW and the UNP Rogues around him, this bald Mr Rathana in robes can negotiate to abstain or vote on matters like this for the highest bid!

Nandimithra Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:02 PM

He got elected saying he would represent the public opinion of his constituency. If he cannot do that he should go back to the temple.

teni Wednesday, 04 April 2018 04:58 PM

There is no impact if doing like that. Why Ven Rathana thera is in there for not using his vote. If Thera believes that PM is better to stay his position and he did not in the central bank bond issue, he can vote against to the no confidence. On the other way round he should vote supporting to that. That is what the general public expect.

Dihan Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:02 PM

With respect as a monk you are supposed to stay in temple rather than engaging in politics and parliament

dharma Friday, 06 April 2018 08:16 PM

monks must not interfear in politics, it was his personal benefit,

PC Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:12 PM

Haha.....he has been very vociferous until this moment in sending RW home. Now that the tide has changed, so has his stance!

Nishantha Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:12 PM

But is it acceptable for Buddhist Monk to actively engage in politics?

mnsmart Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:16 PM

and also its not acceptable to engage in politics too

Refaideen Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:19 PM

A Buddhist monk should not be a politician in the first place leave alone voting.

M.M.M.Izzeth Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:20 PM

You’re 100% correct am with you.

Rukshan Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:22 PM

It is not acceptable for a Buddhist monk to be even in politics, but yet you are!

Stunned Citizen Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:36 PM

Nailed it in the head. The bane of the country

max Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:24 PM

Did Buddha teach you to be in the parliament and get all the perks too?

jan Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:25 PM

Ven Thero, as a Budhist monk, you should not be doing politics in the first place, if you are sincere give up politics now and return to your temple where you both belong and are needed.

Eesh Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:27 PM

This is not about law or court of law. This is whether the prime minister has kept his confidence.

Kumara Dharmarathne Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:27 PM

Please keep in mind you are in parliament today because of RW. Although NCM has brought against an act but court has not decided the culprit yet. Under this circumstance, if you did not vote in favor of RW,you are going to be ungrateful for RW as a Buddhist priest. Think about it.

Vish Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:40 PM

In that analogy , Please keep in mind you are in a war free country today because of MR. Although the the main slogan against him was robbing the country but court has not decided the culprit yet. Even Under this circumstance, you did vote in favor of the common candidate ,you were ungrateful to MR as a citizen . Think about it.

Ceylon Wednesday, 04 April 2018 07:03 PM

Howcome mr won war?.it was the work done by military,police and tax payers.military was action comanded by marshal sarath.during the war mr was very bussy for stealing money using war.

Kevin Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:46 PM

If you know the pre 2015 presidential election background work, you would know that this govt is not there today if not for Rathana thero.

Nethra Wednesday, 04 April 2018 04:33 PM

With due respect the Thero is messing up subject,better be in the Temple guide the nation's parliamentarians to the correct path who always greedy and robbing the nationswealth.

Dhammika Wednesday, 04 April 2018 05:11 PM

Since MOST comments say Ven. monk should be in a temple . How about TEMPLE TREES ?.

Sincere Wednesday, 04 April 2018 06:23 PM

Even the man who climbed the kitul tree had an excuse!

Casanova Wednesday, 04 April 2018 06:29 PM

If you want everyting, I mean EVERYTHING, you must become a monk.

Lord Wolfstein Wednesday, 04 April 2018 06:33 PM

With no respect, your business is not politics

Observer Wednesday, 04 April 2018 08:35 PM

There is no Buddhist doctrine for voting or abstaining in Parliament

Perumal Friday, 06 April 2018 01:28 PM

The question is HOW MUCH (for abstaining)?

SN Friday, 06 April 2018 02:39 PM

He has some sense in it. It is the Judiciary who should give the verdict and not the Murderers, Crooks, Thugs, Dealers and Untouchable Media.

Sangaralingham Wednesday, 11 April 2018 09:06 AM

People elected you even though you are monk however I agree you can abstain if you can't decide.or think or feel things are going in wrong direction. Mind truth courage reason must decide. As a person this is a game people play yes politicians play games mostly for selfish self centered reason

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Rathana Thera to abstain from voting

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