Jathika Hela Urumaya Chairman Athuraliye Rathana Thera has said that the decision by the JHU to leave the government will increase the faith of the people 'by a thousandfold.'

Speaking with Sirasa TV yesterday, hours after the crucial decision was announced, he maintained that "we relieved ourselves from our responsibilities with the Alliance Government. We have taken a political decision where the JHU will act independently in the Parliament."

He also added that people including scholars, intellectuals and the public by their thousands have embraced them with respect after the decision was announced.

Rathana theta also reiterated that the party has not taken a final decision so far to support the common candidate of the opposition. "First of all," he added, "we need to know the name of the common candidate."

Rathana Thera has also said that if the JHU was to have discussions again on the matter, it will have to be Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa. "If you say something to him, he understands it," Rathana Thera has added.

During the press conference to announce the JHU decision, its General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka said "the fact that the JHU resigned from its positions in the government would not prevent the party from holding further discussions with the President."