Support of prelates sought to put brakes on Kandy night races

5 May 2013 01:13 pm

The Kandy Heritage Protection Foundation has handed over a letter to the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters expressing its objection and urging the authorities not to hold the motor race tournament scheduled to be held in Kandy on May 17 and 18.

KHPF Chairman and former National Freedom Front parliamentarian Nimal Premawansa joined a delegation that met Malwatte Mahanayaka Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera and Asgiri Mahanayaka Most Ven. Udugama  Sri Budharakkhitha Thera asking them not to allow the motor races to be held in Kandy.

Mr. Premawansa told journalists that they expressed their protest over the holding of the motor races. “The Mahanayaka Theras are displeased with decision to hold the motor races in Kandy. The Asgiriya Mahanayaka Thera opposed the arrangements to hold the motor race on the road which is used for the parading  the annual Kandy Perahera and said  however if they wished to hold the race they could do so in the Gannoruwa area,”  he said.

The Malwatta Mahanayaka Thera also said he would write to the President about their decision. (J.A.L. Jayasinsghe)