BBS Chief Executive Officer Dilantha Withanage categorically denied claims that there was an internal coup in the party to oust its General Secretary Galagodaaththe Ganansara Thera.

It was reported in certain online publications that there was a move in the party to oust its General Secretary Gnanasara Thera who is supportive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“There is no division in the party over the subject of the presidential election. Every member in the party is supportive of the party’s stance,” Withanage said responding to the reports that the BBS CEO was on a mission to oust Ganansara Thera and the group supporting President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

However, internal sources of the organization added that a sizable proportion of BBS members have left the organization following its decision to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Meanwhile, BBS CEO Dilanthe Withanage said that their organization never threatened the Muslim community to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the upcoming Presidential Election.He made this remark in response to Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Deputy General Secretary Nizam Kariyappar’s allegation that the Muslim community was in fear over the claims by Bodu Bala Sena that communal violence might occur if the SLMC supported  Common Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Speaking to media earlier, Kariyappar asserted that the BBS had warned the Muslim community that there would be an uprising like in 1915, if the Muslim people voted for common candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Responding to the SLMC Deputy General Secretary’s allegation, Dilantha Withanage challenged the SLMC to come up with evidence to prove their allegations.