Despite continuous requests from the Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya (Our Power of People Party (OPPP) for its sole National List MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera to vacate his seat, it seems he is to remain in the MP’s seat. Ven. Rathana Thera has said that nobody from the party has made any request to him to resign from his parliamentary seat.
OPPP National Organiser Dr. Susantha Kodithuwakku told the media that the Party had requested Ven. Rathana Thera to resign from his parliamentary seat, as per the party agreement which stipulated that he should resign after three months of being sworn in as an MP.
Ven. Rathana Thera was sworn in as a National List Member of Parliament representing the OPPP before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on January 5, when Parliament convened for the first time in the new year.
The OPPP had reached a written agreement with Ven. Rathana Thera that he would remain as the party’s National List MP for only three months. However, the party hierarchy said that he has completed almost six months and it is time for the Thera to resign, to enable Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera to be appointed to that seat.
OPPP President Saman Perera has said that the party will take measures to appoint Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Gnanasara Thera as its National List MP after Parliamentarian Ven. Rathana Thera resigns.
The Party has already sent a letter requesting Ven. Rathana Thera to step down and vacate the seat, while Ven. Gnanasara Thera had also made a personal request to this effect.
However, Ven. Rathana Thera had told the media that nobody from the Ape Jana Bala Party called him or sent him a letter regarding this. He said, “There is no such an agreement as claimed by the party hierarchy so I will remain in the MP’s seat.”
OPPP National Organiser Kodithuwakku has said that if Ven. Rathana Thera doesn’t resign, the Party will take action against him.