BBS Leader Kirama Wimalajothi Thera's 'resignation' from his position has left the organization in a quandary as the main bank account of the BBS and its head office come under Wimalajothi Thera's name.
The office building has been obtained by Wimalajothi Thera through his personal contacts, when the organization was formed two years ago. Wimalajothi Thera was unanimously appointed as the Leader of the organization while Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera was appointed as the General Secretary.
As a result, the story of wimalajothi Thera's resignation has now made a disastrous impact on the Bodu Bala Sena organization as it would create various legal issues where the properties of the BBS are concerned! That is exactly why the hardcore Buddhist organization is flatly denying claims that Wimalajothi Thera has resigned from his position.
After 'Asian Mirror' exclusively reported this story yesterday morning, many print and electronic media institutions contacted Wimalajothi Thera and he admitted that he had distanced himself from the organization. Speaking to Derana TV, he expressed displeasure over the protest rally the BBS organized in Aluthgama.
Wimalajothi Thera was not involved in the activities of the Bodu Bala Sena for more than six months. When things took a violent turn, Wimalajothi Thera informed the organization he did not want to engage in the activities of the organization. Although he cited "other commitments" as the reason for his resignation everyone was aware that Wimalajothi Thera was dissatisfied with the developments within the organization.
Wimalajothi Thera, a senior and erudite Buddhist monk, was known as a 'fatherly figure' among members of the Bodu Bala Sena'. Although he was a staunch nationalist and a supporter of the rights of the Sinhala-Buddhist community, he never preached or resorted to 'violence' targeting ethnic and religious minorities in Sri Lanka.
When contacted by Asian Mirror, CEO of Bodu Bala Sena organization Dilantha Withanage said the organization had not received a letter of resignation from its Leader Kirama Wimalajothi Thera. "However", he said, "there are many elements who want to create issues between the BBS and Wimalajothi Thera."
It is true that Wimalajothi Thera has still not sent a letter of resignation to the BBS officially announcing his resignation. But, in reality, he has stepped down from his duties as the Leader of the organization, paving the way for its General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera to take total control of the organizational body.
However, as a result of the recent clash which occurred in Aluthgama, Beruwala and Dharga Town, Wimalajothi would soon send his 'letter of resignation' to the organization, Asian Mirror reliably learns. Wimalajothi Thera himself affirmed this,indirectly, when he spoke to 'Derana TV' yesterday saying he would soon make a decision on his position at Bodu Bala Sena in the wake of recent violence.
As there is a sizable proportion of Buddhist monks who are disappointed with the BBS, it is widely speculation that Wimalajothi Thera's "official exit" will create a division in the BBS while plunging the organization into a deeper crisis on the legal front.
