Hartal staged in Mihintale in support of Rathana Thera’s fast

By Athula Bandara 

In solidarity with the actions of Ven. Rathana Thera who launched a fast unto death outside the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, a hartal was staged in the Mihintale town last Morning which lasted for at least two hours. The hartal which commenced at 8.00 a.m. concluded at around 10.00 a.m.

During the hartal, all shops in the vicinity remained closed. Black flags were unfurled across the town and crowds thronged the site demanding the government, the President and the Prime Minister to remove Governors Azath Salley and Hizbullah as well as Minister Rishad Bathiudeen from their posts.  

Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya Ven. Walaha Hengunawawe Dhammarathana Thera led the hartal with the participation of several Buddhist monks, Catholic priests and Muslim Moulavis.