Jathika Hela Urumaya

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (often approximated in English as National Heritage Party) is a political party in Sri Lanka which is led by Buddhist monks. The JHU was launched in February, 2004 by the lay-based, secular Sinhala nationalist political party Sihala Urumaya. Founding members include Kolonnawe Sumangala Thero, Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero, Ellawela Methananda Thero, Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Thero, Athuraliye Ratana Thero and Thilak Karunaratne. Some Sri Lankan Buddhists, including the All Island Clergy Organization, denounced the decision by monks to enter politics. However, the party drew unprecedented support from the middle class conservatives and the Buddhist youth.

Related Topics:
English - Political party - Sri Lanka - Buddhist - Monk - February - 2004 - Sinhala - Nationalist - Sihala Urumaya - Kolonnawe Sumangala - Uduwe Dhammaloka - Ellawela Methananda - Omalpe Sobhitha - Thilak Karunaratne - All Island Clergy Organization

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Jathika Hela Urumaya contested its first parliamentary elections on April 2, 2004, which were Sri Lanka's most recent legislative elections. All of its candidates were Buddhist monks. At these elections the party won 6.0% of the popular vote and 9 out of 225 seats. Note than the Tamil National Alliance which got the same percentage of votes were given 22 seats.

Related Topics:
April 2 - 2004 - Elections - Tamil National Alliance

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Since the election, the party has been involved in a number of controversial issues, such as the introduction of a law to criminalize unethical conversions and proselytism by foreign Christian fundamentalist groups. There has also been some quite dramatic infighting within the JHU parliamentary fraction, since the group which had been cobbled together just before the polls lacked unity on the issue of how to relate to government formation.

Related Topics:
Conversions - Proselytism - Christian fundamentalist

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Two of its founding members, Theros Kolonnawe Sumangala and Uduwe Dhammaloka left the party after a conflict between the robed and lay members. The founder of the Sihala Urumaya also defected to the United National Party after seizing the party headquaters. After months of trouble, the party is strong again with the young monk Athuraliye Rathana Thero and the Sihala Urumaya member Champika Ranawaka leading the comeback. Ellawela Medhananda and Omalpe Sobhitha theros remain in the leadership. Other influential members include Dr Neville Karunatilake and Udaya Gammanpila. JHU is also affiliated with the National Movement Against Terrorism (NMAT), SPUR, North-East Sinhala Organisation (NESO) and other local and international Sinhala nationalist groups.

Related Topics:
United National Party - Athuraliye Rathana - Champika Ranawaka - National Movement Against Terrorism - North-East Sinhala Organisation

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jathika Hela Urumaya successfully appealed the supreme court to cut President Chandrika Kumaratunga's term short and is currently in the process of deciding whether to field its own Presidential candidate or to support Premier Mahinda Rajapakse. JHU officially denied the reports that it planned to nominate General Janaka Perera, a controversial retired military officer and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna rejected its invitation to join hands. It is widely believed that the JHU would not be able to repeat the previous year's performance.

Related Topics:
Chandrika Kumaratunga - Mahinda Rajapakse - Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~