SOBITHA THERA COMMENDS ELECTIONS CHIEF

The Ven. Maduluwave Sobitha Thera, who heads the National Movement for Social Justice, yesterday met Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya and encouraged him to keep up the good work he was doing in ensuring a free and fair election.

He told journalists after meeting Mr. Deshapriya that the elections commissioner had to be consistent when handling the complaints he receives of election law violations.

The Thera said he made several complaints against certain candidates though he would not disclose any of the details nor their names.

He said the instructions issued by the polls chief to the state electronic media not to repeat telecast the letter sent by President Maithripala Sirisena to ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa was commendable.

Meanwhile, the Thera urged voters to carry out an unprecedented revolution so that Sri Lanka could enact a new constitution, a Right to Information Act, a NationalAuditAmendmentAct and Electoral Reforms through the 20thAmendment.

“Let August 17 be the beginning of a new journey for Sri Lanka with a new political culture pervading the country,” the Thera told those who were outside the Elections Department.

The discussion between the monk and the elections chief lasted for an hour.

The instructions issued by the polls chief to the state electronic media not to repeat telecast the letter sent by the President to the ex-president was commendable

Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera is seen leaving the Elections Department after meeting Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya last morning where he lodged a complaint the details of which were not disclosed. PIC BY PRADEEP DILRUKSHANA