Rathana Thera’s fast culminates in resignation of Salley, Hizbullah

Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera ended his fast unto death yesterday with the resignation of Western Province Governor Azath Salley and his Eastern Province counterpart M.L.A.M. Hizbullah from their posts. After he ended his fast, the prelate was taken in an ambulance to the Kandy  Hospital. 

Ven. Rathana Thera commenced his fast unto death last Friday in front of Sri Dalada Maligawa demanding the removal of the two governors as well as Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen from their posts in connection with their alleged links to National Tawheed Jamaat (NTJ) responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks. 

Furthermore, the Mahanayake Theras of Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters requested President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to lend a patient hearing to the demands of Ven. Rathana Thera. 

Malwatta Mahanayake Thera Most Ven. Thibbotuwawa Siddhartha Sri Sumangala Thera and the Asgiriya Mahanayake Thera requested the two leaders to act with impartiality and transparency when dealing with extremist terrorist activities.