Rathana Thera rejects abduction, disappearance allegations

Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said today he had neither disappeared nor involved in abductions as reported and assured that the controversy over the national list nominee of the Our Power of Peoples’ Party (OPPP) would be resolved within the next few days.

He told a news conference that the media had given an unnecessary publicity to the issue making it a media stunt and pointed out that the post of an MP should be used to build a national force and said it could be done even in the absence of such a post.

“We can build a national force even without a seat in Parliament. If the issue gets worse, I will keep quiet and take the lead to build a national force. I do not consider the MP's post as essential,” the Thera said.

He said the matter should be resolved democratically and reasonably through discussion for the purpose of creating a future force and added that he would discuss the matter with everyone.

The Thera reiterated that accoring to the MoU, the OPPP’s secretary or his successor was bound to nominate the person recommended by him for the national list slot and was expecting to seek legal redress to resolve this matter.(Ajith Siriwardana)