A parliamentary seat could be sold for a lot of money: JHU

(February 22, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) "A parliamentary seat could be sold for a lot of money. It is the reality. Those with poor mentality could fall victim to opportunists and cunning politicians," said the venerable Dr. Omalpe Sobihta Thera, general secretary of the Jathika Hela Urumaya yesterday.

He was addressing the special National Convention in Maharagama.

“A parliamentary seat could be sold for a lot of money. Our new candidates should remember that is not a dream, but it is the reality. All these candidates would be public representatives in parliament following the election. Those who enter parliament with a poor mentality would fall victims to private companies, opportunists and cunning politicians,” said the venerable Dr. Sobitha Thera.

The venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thera, National Organiser of the JHU addressing the event pointed out that the preferential system that divided and caused disputes among the people had to be stopped.

"This preferential voting system that divides and causes rift among the people should be stipped. The JHU must make it our responsibility to ensure that the upcoming parliamentary election will be the last election that is held under the executive presidential system and the preferential voting system, said the venerable Rathana Thera.

The special JHU National Convention was held to announce the candidates of the Jathika Hela Urumaya, who would be contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections under the United Peoples Freedom Alliance ticket.

The JHU pointed out that the party would only field candidates for the Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, Kurunegala and Kandy districts while the party would obtain two national list parliamentary seats.