ELLAWELA THERA’S SUPER MARKET STORY

Museum was not broken by the Government. But the Government must dig antiques and treasures:

I will not go to ‘market’ for the Government but will go beyond that to ‘Super markets’:

ELLAWELA MEDANANDA THERA QUIPS:

The Ellawela Medananda Thera had quipped that the Government officials should get involved with the exercise in digging treasures. If not there are enough thieves who will get indulged in this exercise and reap benefits. This statement had made a huge uproar in the country. He had confessed that the theft in the Museum had no involvement with the Government, for which he vouched for. In today’s ‘Lakbima’ paper Elawela Medananda Thera had given an interview in this regard. In this interview he had boldly said that he will only go to ‘market’ on behalf of the Government but is prepared to go even to a ‘Super market’.

IS IT TRUE THAT THERE IS A TALK THAT POLITICIANS ARE INVOLVED IN THE THEFT OF THE TREASURES?

“ It is surprising and very strange that people say that the Government is involved. This story is very foolish. The Government personnel would never climb ladders and smoke ‘beedis’ during this exercise and be involved in the theft. However in the event if any politician is proved to be involved he should be properly dealt with. This is the work of very unpatriotic people.”

DO YOU SAY THAT THESE VALUABLES ARE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY?

“Yes of course this is all property that belongs to the Government, if not who’s. What is beneath the earth including all treasures and antiques belong to the Government. I also should state that in addition to all antiques items and valuable treasures should be unearthed by the Government and exhibited and preserved for the benefit of the people. That is why people from nowhere dig and take into possession of these valuables and reap benefits. There are enough thieves who are involved in this degrading and fictitious exercise”

SOME SAY THAT YOU THERA IS STAYING FIRMLY BEHIND THE GOVERNMENT WITH THE SOLE INTENTION OF PROTECTING THE GOVERNMENT?

“If I cannot stand by the Government, do anyone expect me to stand  by the LTTE. Who are those accusing me? Those who accuse me are those who have reaped benefits from the Government to the maximum and remain as puppet heroes. There are some media personnel who instead of supporting the Government after winning the civil war after 30 years do not help the government in developing activities.”

 SOME SAY THAT YOU ARE GOING TO THE ‘MARKET FOR THE GOVERNMENT?

“If the Government is going good things what is wrong in my going to ‘market’ on their behalf. I am prepared even go to ‘super markets”.

Newspaper interview: Dharma Sri Thilakawardena