No-confidence motion to be brought against Minister Bathiudeen : Ven. Rathana Thero

A no-confidence motion is to be brought against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thero said.

The motion will be brought against Minister Bathiudeen over his suspicious conduct, the Thero explained adding that details at the Bribery Commission on corruption cases against Ministers who are acting in a irresponsible manner will also be taken into consideration.

"Minister Bathiudeen has acted in an irresponsible manner irrespective of whether he was aware or not regarding terrorist groups in the country," MP Rathana Thero claimed adding that the Minister is believed to have used his political influence in order to release certain suspects.

While pointing out that discussions concerning the no-confidence motion are taking place within the Joint Opposition, the parliamentarian said that he would lead the process of tabling the motion if Mr. Bathiudeen does not resign from his ministerial portfolio.

Speaking at a press conference, Ven. Rathana Thero also took occassion to comment on the proposed 'Sharia Campus' which is currently under construction in Batticaloa.

"The land had initially been obtained to establish a technical college. However, a massive university is under construction on this land and is expected to offer courses on Medicine, Engineering, and Islamic-related subjects," he claimed.

Further, he alleged that the Saudi government which has not funded the construction of any university in countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, had chosen Sri Lanka in order to establish South Asia's largest Islam and Arabic institution.

The Thero urged that an investigation must be conducted to uncover whether the Saudi-based funding entity of the proposed Batticaloa Campus had funded terrorist groups in other countries.

He also said that the general public will be made aware on foreign experts who are in the country after an investigation is carried out in this regard.