Buddhist Monk Turned Politician Admits Regret

October 23, 2005

Source: Lanka Business Online

http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/new_full_story.php?subcatcode=22&catname=Offbeat&newscode=185082170

On October 23, 2005 Lanka Business Online reported, "A top Sri Lankan Buddhist monk legislator Sunday admitted for the first time his all-monks party had been mistaken to enter politics, but stopped short of quitting the legislature where it has nine crucial seats.

Monk Uduwe Dhammaloka told reporters here that he realised the monks could have done more for the people of Sri Lanka had they stayed clear of politics and concentrated on their theological work. 'Monks can do better by not joining political parties,' Dhammaloka said. 'The climate is not conducive for monks to enter politics. It is corrupt.'

His National Heritage Party, or JHU, the first-ever all-monk party to contest a poll, won nine seats at the April parliamentary elections."