The rift in the JHU between a section of the clergy and the laymen took another turn yesterday when party General Secretary Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera wrote to party leader Ven Ellawala Medhananda, requesting him to strip the lay council of all its powers.
Claiming that the internal conflict of the party was the work of the Sihala Urumaya elements in the party, Ven. Dhammaloka Thera said the Supreme Sangha Council of the party should be the sole decision-making body of the party.
Referring to media statements issued by former party secretary Champaka Ranawaka, Ven. Dhammaloka Thera said he had no right to represent the party and urged the party leader to take steps to appoint Ven Kotapola Amarakithi Thera as the new secretary.
