Refuting the recent statement made by President's Counsel Hemantha Warnakulasuriya bringing up the name of Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera with regard to the Embilipitiya incident, Ven Budugala Jinawansa Thera yesterday told the Daily News that some groups were trying to tarnish his (Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera's) image by making baseless allegations against him.
Ven. Jinawansa Thera said that President's Counsel Hemantha Warnakulasooriya had allegedly made a statement claiming that Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera had threatened Shashika Nishamani, the wife of Sumith Prasanna Jayawardene, the youth who died after a confrontation with the Embilipitiya Police and allegedly offered a bribe to her.
"A close friend of Sobhitha Thera who wanted to financially help Shashika Nishamani had inquired whether Sobhitha Thera has any way to contact this lady. Sobhitha Thera had then allegedly coordinated with Chandima Kodituwakku who is an environmentalist and journalist who has connections with Shashika to introduce this donor to her," he said.
He said that this incident has been misinterpreted to tarnish the name of Ven. Omalpe Shbhitha who renders a great service to the people of the Embilipitiya area.
