Sihala Ravaya temporarily banned from protesting
Sihala Ravaya temporarily banned from protesting
BY Ruwan Laknath Jayakody-January 31, 2014
President of the Sihala Ravaya, Ven. Akmeemana Dayarathana Thera, including all the monks of the Sihala Ravaya, have been temporarily banned from engaging in protests.
The order was made by the Chief Magistrate, Colombo, Gihan Pilapitiya, during the hearing held on Thursday (30). The order had been made in relation to the protest organized by the Sihala Ravaya that was held on Wednesday (8) in front of the Prime Minister, D.M. Jayaratne's office. The decision to temporarily ban the Sihala Ravaya from protesting would be effective until the end of the trial.
Sihala Ravaya members are charged with causing public turmoil by behaving chaotically and also trying to forcibly enter the Prime Minister's office. A scuffle had ensued between the police and the protesters at the time the protest was held. The Sihala Ravaya will be marching from Kandy to Colombo against the slaughter of cattle on Sunday (9) February. National Convener of the movement, Ven. Magalkande Sudhaththa Thera, told Ceylon Today that, "A march and a protest are different from each other. But we have a feeling that the police are trying to stop the march as well."
"Previously, at the behest of the police, we presented 15 of our youth to the Court, and on Thursday (30), at the behest of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), four monks including myself presented ourselves before Court without summons or a warrant being issued. We obey the law of the land, but the police continue to insult us by arresting Sri Lankan youths. Yet, drug smugglers and dealers are roaming scot free, living their dastardly, decadent lives, and are left to freely proliferate their evil vices, while we who are protesting and fighting this scourge, are being curtailed. We are being harassed by the police and the Prime Minister's cronies. They may stop us from protesting, but there are thousands of others – groups, organizations and individuals waiting out there to protest. We ask the government to withdraw this case and request the police to investigate the Prime Minister," Sudhaththa Thera added.
Give me Rs.100 – Udaya Gammanpila
- Friday, 31 January 2014
Ex- Western Provincial Council Minister and JHU legal adviser Udaya Gammanpila today requested the public to give him Rs 100 each for his election campaign as he is unable to afford the campaign this time.
“I do not have a vehicle of my own and I have never been corrupt. Anybody can check any personal details or bank accounts of mine. Politicians become corrupt when they start earning for their next election campaign or when they let their supporters to earn on behalf of them” said the JHU strongman adding that he stands for good governance and if anyone has faith in him could offer Rs. 100 for his campaign as he does not have any means to run for office this time.
Addressing a media briefing today he said “I have faith in me that I can do justice to people if I am re-elected as I do not mortgage principles for money but I do not have big money to enter a competition with the money spinners as I have never earned money through unfair means’.
‘If I take money from big businessman I will be under obligation to help them after the polls so I kindly request the public to help me in this campaign” he earnestly requested.
