Rathana Thera launches hunger strike

Says sack Rishad Bathiudeen, Hizbulla and Azath Salley

Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera yesterday launched a hunger strike outside the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy calling for the removal of Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah and Western Province Governor Azath Salley from their posts.

The Thera said in a letter to President Maithripala Sirisena when the Sinhala, Tamil and moderate Muslims are striving for peace, some ministers and governors supporting extremists were issuing statements which leads to a breach of peace.

He said some politicians and the Maha Sangha requested the President to remove extremist ministers and governors from their posts and allow for impartial investigations.

The Thera said he had launched a hunger strike because of a lack of a positive response.

He said Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Western Province Governor Azath Salley and Minister Rishad Bathiudeen should be removed from their posts while an independent investigation panel should be appointed to probe the Kurunegala doctor who was faced with several allegations against him and a mechanism should be set up to compensate mothers who suffered from his actions.

The Thera said he would continue with the hunger strike until the above demands were met.