Ovitigala Dhammananda Thera yesterday explained the controversy regarding the appearance of his name on two party lists in Kalutara District by declaring that he had signed nomination papers with only the Bodu Jana Peramuna.

Speaking at a press conference, Dhammananda Thera said that his name had been added to the list of Jana Setha Peramuna without his knowledge.

He added that he signs in Sinhalese and added that according to his knowledge, someone has signed his name in English in the Jana Setha Peramuna nomination papers.

Bodu Jana Peramuna demanded election officials to investigate the matter.

The controversy broke out when it was revealed that Ovitipana Dhammananda Thera's name appeared on both the Bodu Jana Peramuna list and the Jana Setha Peramuna list in Kalutara District.

Bodu Jana Peramuna leader Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera leads the BJP list in Kalutara.