Vendaruwe Upali Thera, Anunayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter, yesterday issued a statement clarifying his controversial remark on Adolf Hitler made at an alms-giving held at former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's house. 

The Senior Buddhist monk went on record advising the former Defence Secretary to establish a military rule in the country, like Adolf Hitler.

The Thera yesterday said he did not refer to Adolf Hitler in a "harmful sense."

"What I meant was the need to make strong decisions. I did not advocate a Hilter-like military rule," the Thera said in his statement. 

He also added that even Lord Buddha had stressed the need for making strong decision at the right time.