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JHU monks prepare for historic role
By Harinda Vidanage
The Bhikkus of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) yesterday declared they would be the deciding factor in a future parliament and wanted to be identified as Dharma advisors playing no role in trying to form governments.

As the news of the results in favour of the Hela Urumaya poured in, Ven. Ududwe Dhammaloka Thera, General Secretary of the party, told The Sunday Times they would support any party which accepted their principles.

As Hela Urumaya returned seven members to Parliament by last evening with more results to be announced, the monks met at the Maharagama Dharmayathanaya for a special pooja to mark what they called a historic political victory achieved by Sri Lankan Bhikkus in the modern parliamentary history of the country.

The public announcement made by Ven. Akuratiye Ratana Thera at this ceremony sent a strong message to all the major political parties. He emphasised that with the Bhikkus being the decisive factor in this parliament, no political party could fool around anymore. He urged the people to rise in the name of their cause and said, "Earlier it was just a dream, but the time has come and the waiting is over".

Ven Ratana Thera said that with the transformation of the Bhikku party into a decisive factor in parliament, they would become more exposed to attacks or conspiracies. The warning came amidst sustained attacks on the monks especially through the state media.

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