Athuraliye Rathana Thera, an outspoken MP of the Jathika Hela Urumaya, said today that the party would not support President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the upcoming presidential polls. 

Rathana thera, while addressing the crucial JHU press conference in Colombo, a short while ago, stated that anyone who is ready to face death can become the most powerful person in the world.

 “Those who are accusing us of implementing NGO agendas are inadvertently blaming the President. “ Rathana thera said while adding that the JHU decision would be a wake-up call for President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He also urged all civil groups and organizations to unite in order to curtail executive powers of the President. “Any patriotic political force can join hands with us,” Rathana Thera asserted.

The Parliamentarian also added that they had received reports that some elements were attempting to imprison the top rung leaders of the Jathika Hela Urumaya.

Meanwhile JHU General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka, while answering a question posed by a journalist, said the party is yet to make a decision on supporting the “common candidate”.

“We have not made any decision so far to support the common candidate,” Ranawaka said. However, Rathana Thera, addressing the same press conference, said that the party was holding discussions with Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera, Convener of the People's Movement for a Just Society. Further clarifying Ranawaka's position, Rathana Thera said the party would not enter into any agreement without knowing who the "common candidate" is. 

 The former Minister also added the fact that the JHU resigned from its positions in the government would not prevent the party from holding further discussions with the President.