A large group is to contest the upcoming Gen. election under the 'Ape Jana Bala Party', Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thero says.
The Thero notes that a large number of SLFP electoral organizers who have been denied nominations as well as a large number of professionals who had previously backed president Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, are ready to contest thus, under the symbol of the 'flag'.
Meanwhile, several Buddhist monks are to contest for the Gen. election from this party, led by Ven. Rathana Thero himself.
Accordingly, General secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena organisation - Ven. GalagodaAththe Gnanasara Thera and Ven. Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thera would be contesting from the districts of Badulla and Gampaha respectively.
Ven. Rathana Thera, who first entered Parliament in 2004, had been a Member of Parliament for 16 years.
In 2010, Ven. Rathana Thera was elected to parliament after contesting from the Gampaha district and securing the fourth highest number of preferential votes.
At the 2015 General election, the Thera was elected to parliament from the United National Front National List and crossed over to support Mahinda Rajapakse during the brief political takeover in 2018 Oct. 26.
With the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna led alliance deciding not to give nominations to Buddhist monks at the upcoming general election, Ven. Rathana Thera has been gearing up to contest the General election in this manner, under the 'flag' symbol.
(Mirror)