Seelarathana Thero's Presidential dream!

After becoming President ....  will come to Araliyagaha Asapuwa

Battaramulle Seelarathana Thero who acquired 2700 votes at the last Presidential Election and ultimately had to forfeit his deposit has come forward to contest this time's Presidential Election. The thero who arrived in a tractor to the Election Secretariat office was the first candidate to deposit his guarantee this time. Some fantastic replies have been given to questions asked by a weekend newspaper as to what he, Battaramulle Seelarathana Thero would do after he becomes the President.

Given below are the responses given to the Divaina newspaper:

* What is your name venerable thero?
  Poojya Battaramulle Seelarathana Thero.

* Where you reside?
  The Historical Varana Raja Maha Vihara in Attanagalla. It was at that vihara that I was ordained.

* Ape hamuduruwana .... then this place?
  This is a place that I erected myself.

* Where do you reside now?
  At this place.

* During which period did you enter monkhood?
  At 5.55 in the morning on November 15, 1986.

* As a monk why did you decide to enter Politics?
  President Mahinda is good. Maithreepala is good. Ranil Wickremasingha methithuma is also good. Anura Dissanaike is also good. Patali Champika methithuma also is good; but none of them have been able to talk about the rights of the masses in the vagabond-type politics.

* Then hamuduruwane how can they be good?
  What I say is that they are not bad .... the mistake is in the system. Whoever steps into the political hell gets spoilt.

* Knowing this very well .... why did you think of getting into this hell?
  On behalf of the masses.

* If political leaders are not in the wrong .... then who is right?
  People in the country are wrong. It is the people of this country who give powers to drug-addicts and ethanol dealers and send them in. They are the people who rule the parliament. Don't know to talk .... don't know the value of a human being! This system should be changed.

* How can the system be changed hamuduruwo?
  It needs an intelligent leadership. It's for that that I have come forward.

* Can you describe your political vision?
  If I was to say in short .... it's to serve the public. We get ordained to serve the public. But Buddhist Parties get shifted around for money. Janasetha Peramuna does not bend to any powers.

* When was the Janasetha Peramuna formed?
  On 22nd June in the year 2009. Symbol .... tractor.

* Did Janasetha Peramuna contest at every election held from the year 2009?
  Has contested at every election other than one election.

* You came forward at the last election also?
  Yes .... at that election we got a good response.

* About how many votes did you get?
  Two thousand seven hundred.

* From where did the majority of votes come?
  From the North.

* That means hamuduruwane  .... even the donors of the four divisions haven't cast their votes?
  At that election I made a request from the people to cast their vote to Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksha. It was after obeying my word that the whole public voted for Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksha.

* Will you give your support to Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksha this time also?
  There's no idea like that. The government has still not discussed that with us.

* That means .... you are waiting till the government calls you?
  No. If the government discuss with us .... we'll decide on the decision taken whether we'll support the government or not. The Opposition gave us a discussion.

* What you say is that the President's administration is not good?
  I won't say that the rulership of President Mahinda Rajapaksha is not good .... any day. It was because of his righteous behaviour that the war ended. But it is those who are around him who destroys him.

* Have you no idea of supporting the Common Candidate?
  If a discussion is made with us .... if they agree to our views .... we'll give support. Mr. Maithreepala is good. But we suspect whether all those things they say will be done.

* How do you see the difference between the President's character and the Maithreepala character?
  The public in this country knows about it. My opinion is only for me.

* It was you who first of all deposited the guarantee money. Is there a special reason for it?
  That can be done at whatever time it is done. There's nothing to delay. Hamuduruwo is not someone who went back any day. We are always at the front.

* That means these days donors of 'satharaperuwa' must be having a lot to spend?
  Aney yes .... my donors are very humble .... they help.

* It's not an easy thing to contest at the Presidential Election. A lot has to be spent. So can the donors meet all these expenses?
  They are my members in Janasetha .... all of them help.

* Ape hamuduruwane ... about how much did you spend for the last Presidential Election?
  A big sum had to be spent.

* About how much?
  Some money had to be spent .... so?

* About how much are you hoping to spend for this time's election?
  That of course has to be discussed with my devotees.

* Most donors around ape hamuduruwo are rich people?
  Usually they have the means. At the same time I request from the public, if support was given to Mr.Gammanpillai by contributing Rs. 100; to donate something like that to this innocent Battaramulle Seelarathana Thero; giving Rs. 100 didn't bring merit to you. If something is given to a monk.... there'll be merit.

* Ape hamuduruwane .... there's an opinion that money comes from foreign organisations?
  Ho .... ho.... don't ... don't .... don't ask that question (the thero shows a gesture).

* That means hamuduruwane .... doesn't money flow like that?
  Who's there to send money to me from abroad?

* There's an opinion in the country that you get NGO money.
  What can't people say? From where have I got?

* What type of outcome do you think this election will turn out to be?
  That's left to the public.

* Will you win the Presidential Election?
  Definitely we'll win.

* When you become the President, what will you do first?
  In a short time I'll abolish the Presidential Executive Powers.

* When you become the President .... what is the relief you'll give the masses?
  Will give a land of two and a half acres to the farming community. Apart from that, will give a tractor free to to the farmers. The country could be developed only when the farming community is nourished. Will increase the subsidies given to Samurdhi families. In the same way, every mediaman will be given a house in the vicinity of Colombo. Will bring about a virtuous rule in the country.

* How many will be the number in the cabinet in your government?
  My cabinet will have 22. In the same way it'll be a very justified group that will be selected.

* Is there a group like that?
  We can make. When we come into power, even those in the government will come to our side.

* Will you take those who are changing their Party?
  Will take good people.

* Ape hamuduruwo .... has the manifesto of Janasetha Peramuna been released?
  Not still .... in the future it'll be released.

* Like the former Presidents, will you forget the things said when you sit on that seat?
  Monks don't tell lies. Lord Buddha hasn't told lies.

* Then ape hamuduruwo .... among matters preached by Lord Buddha to a monk, politics is also included in matters not to be discussed. Then you came into politics?
  Don't bring in Lord Buddha here .... it's not Lord Buddha who asks for the vote .... it's I.

* When you become President.... should we address you as Janadhipathi Hamuduruwo?
  Aney .... not necessary .... it's enough if I am addressed as Battaramulle Seelarathana Thero.

* Won't Araliyagaha Mandiraya become Araliyagaha Pansala?
  It'll become Araliyagaha Asapuwa.

* When engaged in a political campaign it won't be possible to attend a 'panshakula' of a donor in the village, isn't it?
  For that, my chelas are there if I am not available. It's enough having attended 'pansakula' and 'bana' sermons. Must do something for the country also no.

* Then if you become the President, you'll distance yourself from religious activities?
  No.... no .... not like that; even if I carry on with the Presidentship .... there'll be 'bana' preaching. If told to participate in the nights .... I'll accept it.

Tharanga Ratnaweera (Divaina)
Photos -- Kamal Bogoda