The President is good.. I switched from the Rajapaksa sect to the Dissanayake sect - Ampitiye Sumana Thero

The Chief Incumbent of Batticaloa Mangalarama, Venerable Ampitiye Sumanaratana Thero, announced yesterday (May 20) that he has completely changed his political stance and will provide his utmost support to the program of the current President, Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Authorities had promptly responded to a warning message issued by the Thero on social media yesterday morning, coinciding with the President's visit to Batticaloa. Accordingly, a special meeting between the President and Sumanaratana Thero was organized on the same day, with the intervention of senior officers of the Batticaloa Police and the Presidential Security Division. Sumanaratana Thero told the media that he was deeply pleased by the President's pledge to provide solutions to the issues in the Eastern Province and his quality of listening, following a cordial discussion on the matter.

Although he had publicly declared himself to be of the 'Rajapaksa sect' in the past, he emphasized that he has now changed that sect. He stated that he would provide his utmost strength to lead the country in a positive direction as long as the President is in power, and that he made this decision without any fear or shame. Furthermore, the Thero added that those who continue to criticize and comment on his decision are a group of fools who have not understood the facts.

A few weeks ago, specifically in the first week of May 2026, Sumanaratana Thero severely criticized the current government. He had stated that the current government was incapable of ruling the country and that the economy had collapsed due to issues such as Central Bank and coal scams. He had also declared then that since the Rajapaksa camp had also suffered a setback, Mr. Dilith Jayaweera was the only and best alternative leader who could rebuild the country in the next five years.

Even earlier, in November 2025, while participating in a meritorious alms-giving event, Sumanaratana Thero passionately preached that he belonged to the 'Rajapaksa sect'. He declared then that a group of monks with true Sinhala blood, who stand firm and follow the Rajapaksas to protect the pride and heritage of the Sinhala nation, were with him, and he referred to those who opposed him as 'Niganthas' (Jains/heretics) and secularists.

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