People never gave mandate for referendums, Ven. Rathana Thera

6 July 2017 10:12 pm - 38 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The people did not mandate to this government for Constitutional reforms that would necessitate a referendum, National Council of Sri Lanka Chairman Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said today.

The Thera told a media briefing that President Maithripala Sirisena’s Presidential election manifesto stated that he would never permit to a Constitutional reform resulted from a referendum.

Ven. Rathana Thera said around 6.2 million people who believed in President Sirisena’s manifesto voted him to office to uphold the country’s sovereignty and unitary state. Therefore he cannot implement anything against what he promised to establish, the Thera said.

He also said TNA MP M. A. Sumanthiran who made a statement in Parliament that the government should go for a referendum earlier agreed the President Sirisena’s manifesto had not promised to do so.

TheThera said most countries that opted to Constitutional reforms ended up in tragedy so President Sirisena should not permit such a move and drag the country and its people to a calamity.

He warned the government that the country could not steer according to cheap political agendas and President Sirisena who was appointed by the people’s mandate cannot act against the people's will.

He also said the Executive Presidency should not be abolished as it is the only hope in a situation of an unstable Parliament.

Meanwhile, Rathana Thera appreciated the statement made by the Tri party Mahanayaka Theras and said government should not criticize it as it was their sacred duty over the past to come forward and protect the country and its people when it is in danger. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

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Comments - 38

ceylon Friday, 07 July 2017 03:27 PM

whatever this un able only talkers cant do anything.even cant clean a city.this rubish fools must expell frm government.start fro. sirisena.they eat peoples money via DM Android App

Indrajith Friday, 07 July 2017 01:39 PM

It is democratic right of the people to vote at a referendum to decide on a new constitution and the people will love to take part in that process. This Monk and the SLFPers are going against having a referendum probably they all have ulterior motives.

Gayan Friday, 07 July 2017 02:07 PM

Politcs means serving the people. Anybody can practice it.

Gayan Friday, 07 July 2017 02:10 PM

Of course thats what separatists wish.

Gayan Friday, 07 July 2017 02:11 PM

If you pass this bill we all have to seek nibbana soon after.

Gayan Friday, 07 July 2017 02:13 PM

Before that hold the elections.

lankaman Friday, 07 July 2017 02:25 PM

As an MP who entered from National List without any citizen's mandate, what right have you got to talk about government's mandate?

ANTON Friday, 07 July 2017 02:49 PM

IS THEIR A METHOD OF GIVING TRANSFERS FOR MONKS BY THEIR SUPERIORS ? I MEAN PUNISHMENT TRANSFERS.

Sri Wickrema Friday, 07 July 2017 02:53 PM

Protect the country from whom? Talk sense.

palle Friday, 07 July 2017 02:56 PM

What he says is true. Those who are bashing him baselessly, please go and read the election pledge of the Yahapalanaya. This is how Yahapalanaya has taken gullible for a ride.

kautilya Friday, 07 July 2017 01:37 PM

Pl. mind your own business.People have not voted to you.

sss Friday, 07 July 2017 04:03 PM

As the tradition, most voters never saw beyond their selfish needs

sigiriya Friday, 07 July 2017 04:46 PM

What he says does not make sense - "he would never permit to a Constitutional reform resulted from a referendum."

vithura Friday, 07 July 2017 04:52 PM

This is what happens when every dimwit who knows nothing of the principles of democratic governance is given a platform to utter nonsense!

shami Friday, 07 July 2017 05:33 PM

look at his face,too disturbed to obtain Nibbana?

Animator Friday, 07 July 2017 06:02 PM

Do you even know what a Referendum is. It is to ask the people to choose ? Why are you so afraid of a referendum ?

patriot Friday, 07 July 2017 08:14 PM

What's wrong with a referendum? Why are you so afraid of it?

Sanjewa Wickramage Saturday, 08 July 2017 09:36 PM

Rathana Thero and Prelates who said they do not want to change the constitution should know that mandate of the people of this country is supreme and they should not challenge that. This goes to all clergy including the Archbishop. Of Colombo. They as monks should do what they were ordained to do and let President to work according to the mandate he received from people.

Sanjeewa Wickramage Saturday, 08 July 2017 09:41 PM

The monks and all other religious personnel should know they are ordained to propergate religion and they should not unduly interfere in governing the country.

suresh Friday, 07 July 2017 09:18 AM

did the people mandate monks to indulge in politics

dulan Friday, 07 July 2017 07:13 AM

As a monk why do you not focus on your inner self and try to attain Nibbana ,leave these issues to lay men please.

Kadiya Friday, 07 July 2017 07:13 AM

Well, if all you guys protest against it let the people decide by referendum!

jagath Friday, 07 July 2017 07:32 AM

Maha sanga to protect the country a load of bullshitwhat rubbish,please remember Buddha was not a Sinhalese was a Hindu, Buddha only visitd Anuradhapurahe did not bring buddhism to Sri lanak,only visited sri lanka ,a made up cock and bull story.elderly sri lankan think and beleive that Buddhism is a Sinhalese religion and never a Hindu religion. The Buddhist intersects never want to educate the majority of the sinhala people in the distant villages,they will be stoned to death if they do

das Friday, 07 July 2017 07:54 AM

Referenda are to get peoples consent later on for things not having received their mandate. Thats the whole point.

TRUE BUDDHIST Friday, 07 July 2017 08:06 AM

This Man has just got on to a yellow robe dis crazing the Buddhist Philosophy if he is a real MONK he should be in the TEMPLE

S.P.RAMKUMAR Friday, 07 July 2017 08:09 AM

Referendum means to get mandate and approval from the people by voting.

VSH Friday, 07 July 2017 08:17 AM

This will remember me Wala yana athata messa gahanawa via DM Android App

Siri Friday, 07 July 2017 08:19 AM

makes lots of sense.

A Friday, 07 July 2017 08:31 AM

People gave mandate to develop this country and also to seek consent from public whenever needed.

Snowy Friday, 07 July 2017 07:03 AM

Sorry Sir, firstly no one voted for you. Secondly I am wondering why we vote at all.

Rumesh Friday, 07 July 2017 10:14 AM

Else how could he be in Parliament

Raj Friday, 07 July 2017 10:16 AM

If people did not give a mandate for a referendum, then same people will have a say on referendum. Could you answer this, Did people give you a mandate to you when they elected you to sell your Duty Free Vehicle - Toyota Land Cruiser??

De Silva Friday, 07 July 2017 10:26 AM

Then what about the promise to abolish the executive presedency ???? Talking through the hat.

shanthapriya Friday, 07 July 2017 10:29 AM

its a blessing to have a strong and united buddhist community to come forward and protect the country at the right time

daily boru Friday, 07 July 2017 11:24 AM

like his big brothers he has no idea of democracy. Referendum is a part of democracy. Practicing democracy at any time is not a crime.

MP Friday, 07 July 2017 11:36 AM

Excellent suggestion. Even lay people nowadays very much bent towards spiritual development. It is strange that Buddhist priests are engaged in doing other things. It is difficult to develop one's inner self, when engaged in other materialistic matters as loba, dvesha and moha lead the person towards making wrong decisions and thoughts.

Citizen Perera Friday, 07 July 2017 12:13 PM

Please concentrate on Biddha's teaching...leave administration of this coutry to civilians.

Sincere Friday, 07 July 2017 01:29 PM

Wrong! We voted for a new constitution for this country as you all told us that JR"s constitution had to be changed. How can you jump into that conclusion without asking voters about it?

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People never gave mandate for referendums, Ven. Rathana Thera

Comments - 38

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