A Buddhist monk accused of bringing in outside voters to hijack a cooperative election has ignited a political storm just hours before polling.
Venerable Rambukkana Gnanasara Thero of the Pitabeddara Viharaya in Dankoluwa is alleged to be registering people from other provinces ahead of tomorrow’s Deniyaya Cooperative Elections. According to reliable sources, the Thero is accused of organizing this operation to secure victory for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. The allegation has triggered anger among local voters who claim the election is being manipulated for political gain rather than community service.
Reports say that individuals with no residential ties to Deniyaya have been added to the voter list in a last minute push to tilt the result. Critics argue that using religious authority to influence a political outcome violates both ethical and democratic principles. Supporters of the Thero, however, insist he is only helping citizens exercise their voting rights. The controversy has placed intense scrutiny on election monitoring, voter registration rules, and the growing connection between clergy and party politics in Sri Lanka. All eyes are now on Deniyaya as the cooperative election turns into a national talking point about political interference, voter fraud, and religious power.
