Election to select chief incumbent of Sri Pada Vihare, rigged: UNP

2 December 2011 06:36 am

The government used all forms of inducements and intimidation to rig the election to select the chief incumbent of Sri Pada Vihare, last week, the UNP charged in Parliament today.

Speaking during the debate on the vote on the Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Ministry, UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said that some Buddhist monks who were eligible to cast votes at this election were threatened by supporters of a certain minister claiming to be a descendant of King Dutugemunu.

Mr. Jayasekara said that Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister Mahipala Herath even offered cash inducements the temples of the Bhikkhus who were eligible to vote at this election.  (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)