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We will restore dignity based on principles of the Dhamma
By Santhush Fernando
Promising strict discipline within the party, a cleaning up of corrupt politics and the establishment of a Bauddha Rajjya, where all religions and races would enjoy their rights, Jathika Hela Urumaya Supreme Council General Secretary Ven. Uduwe Dhamma-loka Thera who heads the Colombo district list of candidate monks said, their main aim was to build a new nation based on Dhamma values and get rid of power-hungry politicians who forgot the people once they came to office.

Excerpts:
What led the Maha Sangha contest the upcoming elections?
We do not see this as contesting elections but as a measure to safeguard the Buddha Sasana and the country from falling into enemy hands. This is why we have come forward. Throughout history, those who were elected by the vote of innocent Sinhalese, always forgot their duty. As the Maha Sangha has always been in the forefront, we decided to come forward to create a clean political environment.

What are the policies of the party?
The main policy is that this country is a Unitary Buddhist State. That is why we are contesting in all districts. The country will be ruled according to the doctrines of Lord Buddha. Our manifesto which is to be launched in Kandy on March 2, will consist of political, economic and Buddhist Policy (Sambuddha Prathipadawa) - which also deals with the state and nation. The economic policies (Arthika Prathipadawa) will be in line with the teachings of Lord Buddha.
After April 2 we will create a new party consisting of Bhikkus, Bhikkshuni, Upasaka, Upasika, lay men and women that will work towards a Bauddha Rajjya.

What would be the nature of the election campaign?
The decision to contest was sudden, as there was no other alternative. Until now we were not organised for politics, but religious duties. The Bhikkus will not take to the political stage. As it was the laity who invited us, they will have to organise the campaign.

The Bhikkus will only engage in Bodu Maha Samulu (Buddhist Conferences), which will be held throughout the country. They will be different from the usual political meetings as no politician will take the stage. We will engage in a righteous way that will not tarnish the Bhikshuthwa or Bhikshu Prathipada. There will be no competition as there will be no canvassing for preference vote nor any poster campaign. We consider voting a "sacrifice of principle" for a greater cause (Prathipaththi Pujawa) and our decision to stand for elections as a "procession of aspirations" (Paramitha Perahera). Our laity will invite the people to make their sacrifice by voting. Our first duty would be to go to the Rajjya Sabha (Parliament), eliminate party politics in governance and revoke laws that don't suit any race or religion. We would also immediately bring the Bill against unethical conversions.

A disciplined Parliament depicts a disciplined people. To clean our country, we have to bring back the dignity of Parliament. After we do this we will retire to our earlier lifestyles.

How did the Mahanayake Theras respond?
They have to take a more traditional stance. That is how it should be, so we didn't invite them to participate in the struggle, but we will lead the struggle on their behalf.

Are the policies of the "Jathika Hela Urumaya" different to that of the "Sihala Urumaya"?
I haven't fully studied the policies of Sihala Urumaya. But they too were based on Buddhist policies. Whether the policies are the same or not is not what matters. The righteous in other parties could also join us.
We informed all parties that we were contesting. If the major parties accept our policies we could come to a common agreement. But we will have to be sure that they are genuine in their approach. There wasn't a single Sinhala Buddhist MP, who would even propose the Bill against unethical conversions. Therefore we have little reason to believe that they would be genuine.

Did the vision of the late Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera have any impact on the party?
It was he who propagated this ideology and created an environment for the Bikkhus to enter politics, even if it is corrupt and dirty. He paid for this with his life. We also believe there is an unlawful attempt to hide the truth behind Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera’s sudden death.

What is the view of the party regarding the North East issue, the LTTE, the peace process and future negotiations?
The policies are still being discussed. What has been decided upto now is that this country is a Baudda Rajjya- where the Dhamma will prevail. There will be no religious or ethnic division and all races and religions will enjoy rights. Even non-Buddhists are happy with the policies, so there will be no need for war. If one breaks the law he will be dealt with by the law.

How will the members be chosen?
The Bikkhus on the nomination list will be contesting the elections. The Maha Sangha will select the members.
The first six would be the members of the Superior Council, (which will include Ven. Ellawala Medananda Thera, Uduwe Dhammmaloka Thera, Kollonnawe Siri Sumangala Thera, Omalpe Sobhitha Thera, Athuraliye Rahana Thera, and Kotapola Amarakiththi Thera).

Some leading Bhikkus who are reluctant to contest but whom we feel will be good rulers will be chosen. What matters is that those who come to Parliament should be well-educated, committed to the Dhamma and knowledgeable in the art of ruling the state.

The Bhikkus who are contesting have agreed to hand over undated resignation letters so that if one of them goes against our principles, the leader could remove him.

Even the Superior Council has a Kathikawatha that it has to abide by (Code of Rules). If one member violates the code the rest could take action against him. One such code is that if a member engaged in any unethical action that would discredit the Bhikshuthwa, he would have to resign or the others could make him resign. This policy existed even in the days of Lord Buddha.

The Jathika Sangha Sammelanaya (JSS) has rejected the President’s appeal for a discussion. Any comment?
When the JSS sent a letter outlining its demands to the President, she did not act promptly, but said she would discuss it sometime in the future. It was only after the media gave publicity to the fact that the Maha Sangha would be contesting at the upcoming elections that she gave an appointment to meet the JSS. But that came too late.

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