Buddhist monk-led movement in Sri Lanka to back a common presidential candidate

The National Movement for a Just Society in Sri Lanka headed by chief incumbent of the Naga Vihara in Kotte, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero plans to form a broad political front to back a common candidate at the next Presidential election. Ven. Sobitha Thero has said that the front would put forward a common presidential candidate with the main aim of abolishing the executive presidency in the event President Mahinda Rajapaksa does not agree to abolish the executive presidency. The Movement headed by the Thero has organized a special meeting on the 18th evening at the National Library to discuss this matter. Ven. Sobitha Thero has noted that the meeting would be attended by political parties, trade unions, civil society organizations and the clergy. He has noted that the common candidate backed by the broad political front if elected to office would abolish the executive presidency and hand over powers to parliament within a period of 120 days. -->