Ven. Sobitha Thero to become next common
Presidential candidate?
- Sunday, 08 December 2013
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Chief incumbent of the Kotte Sri Naga Viharaya, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero it is learnt will be named as the next common Presidential candidate.
Many intellectuals and several political party leaders have reportedly requested Ven. Sobitha Thero to come forward and contest as the common Presidential candidate at the next Presidential election.
Ven. Sobitha Thero has been asked to campaign for the abolition of the executive presidency and present a new constitution.
Several heads of the civil society are to meet with party leaders of the UNP, JVP and Democratic Party in future to discuss how they can support Ven. Sobitha Thero at the next Presidential election.
Ven. Sobitha Thero is currently leading a campaign against the setting up of gaming centres in the country.
Chief incumbent of the Kotte Naga Viharaya, Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, said last week that despite objections from the Mahanayakes, other religious leaders and opposition parties, the government was determined to go ahead with the establishment of six casino zones, but it should stop and take note of the good example set by the Maldives.
Tourism can do without casinos, take an example from Maldives– Sobitha Thera
by Zacki Jabbar-December 7, 2013, 6:22 pm
Chief incumbent of the Kotte Naga Viharaya, Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, said last week that despite objections from the Mahanayakes, other religious leaders and opposition parties, the government was determined to go ahead with the establishment of six casino zones, but it should stop and take note of the good example set by the Maldives.
The Maldives had been able to attract over a million tourists in 2012, most of who were big spenders, and had already topped that figure this year without establishing a single gaming center.
"Take Maldives as an example," the Thera appealed to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, pointing out that the archipelago had developed its tourist industry without the dangerous gambling dollars which only served to destroy the fabric of a country and its people.
Sri Lanka,had already established itself as a narcotics hub and prostitution was on the rise. Casino Zones would only result in the spread of vices and crime which had reached alarming proportions, he noted.
Sobitha Thera said that even though political parties were involved in the campaign against the proliferation of gaming centers, it was not a political issue but a national problem and a threat to Sri Lankan culture and values propagated by all religions.
There are many in the Rajapaksa regime who are opposed to the casino menace. With the exception of Ministers Navin Dissanayake and Patali Champika Ranawaka the others are frightened to speak out.
The authorities have claimed that locals would not be permitted into the proposed gaming zones. But,the majority who patronized casinos were locals. Given the manner in which the law was being circumvented now, a way would be found to overcome whatever superficial restrictions that were placed.
Casinos in India functioned on a ship in the middle of the sea. Singapore, Australia and Macau levied huge annual fees and taxes ranging between 27 to 40 percent on gaming operations; but Sri Lanka was the only country that had invited foreigners including James Packer to establish their casinos on a ten year tax free basis.
"Is this not fishy,"he queried. "Why do we have to sell our souls and that too in return for nothing or is someone benefiting?"
