Ampitiye Sumanarathana Thero has extended his support to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake following a meeting held during the President’s visit to Batticaloa, stating that he would move away from what he described as the “Rajapaksa Nikaya.”

In a video statement released after the meeting, the Thero said he had earlier shared a message indicating he would take a step forward if efforts to engage with the President failed.

He said he had attempted to establish contact with President Dissanayake during the visit and initially did not expect such an opportunity would materialise.According to the Thero, after his earlier message, senior Police officers and Presidential Security Division officials facilitated a meeting with the President, allowing the two sides to hold a discussion.

Ampitiye Sumanarathana Thero said he raised several issues and concerns relating to the Eastern Province during the meeting and claimed the President assured him that steps would be taken to address them.Expressing appreciation, the Thero thanked President Dissanayake for listening and for giving him an opportunity to engage.

He further stated that he would provide his “maximum support” to the President while he remains in office and claimed he would distance himself from the “Rajapaksa Nikaya.”The Thero also said he was prepared to support what he described as the President’s efforts to move the country in a positive direction.