COLOMBO (News1st): The chief incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara temple has urged the people to avoid voting for Buddhist monks at upcoming elections.

This is amidst a crisis within the Our Power of People Party in which three Buddhist monks have laid claim to the party’s national list parliamentary seat.

“…they have given that parliament seat more importance than the Sasana,” Ven. Walwahangunawawe Dharmaratana Thero said on Sunday.

He said that the people must avoid voting for monks at upcoming elections.

• Curfew in Gothatuwa, Mulleriyawa from 7 pm today
• Restrictions imposed on entry to Dalada Maligawa temple
• Accepting of public proposals for new constitution begins
• University cut-off marks to be released on Monday
• More than 200 arrested over narcotic offences