Theripaha Siridhamma Thera, who was at the forefront of the protest action at Rathupaswala, has entered the electoral battle fielding an independent group from the Gampaha District.

He arrived at the District Secretariat to hand over the nominations this morning.

Theripaha Siridhamma Thera led the protest movement in Rathupaswala against a factory for allegedly polluting the water sources in the area. On August 1, 2013, three protesters died when the army and protesters clashed at Weliweriya town.

Theripaha Siridhamma Thera later faced with severe criticism from the residents in the area for signing an agreement, allowing the controversial factory to be continued until April 2014.