The Maha Nayaka Thera of the Malwatte Chapter hopes to re-schedule and summon the postponed Maha Sangha Assembly in the future, the Ven.Prof. Aththangane Rathanapala Nayaka Thera told reporters on Thursday.

The Maha Sangha Assembly called by the Maha Nayakas of the three chapters was scheduled to be held on Thursday, February 18 in Kandy to discuss the current political situation.

The Ven.Prof.Aththangane Rathanapala Thera told a media conference that the Maha Sangha Assemly was never cancelled.

Briefing reporters, Rathanapala Nayaka Thera said the media conference was called with the knowledge of the Malwatte Maha Nayaka Thera.

Various sections associated with the government had approached and tried to influence the Maha Nayaka Theras not to hold the Sangha Assembly and it was decided to postpone the assembly considering security of all, Rathanapala Nayaka Thera said.

Some monks also met the Maha Nayaka thera of the Malwatte Chapter and had about three hours of exhausting talks, Rathanapala Nayaka Thera added.

“Maha Nayaka Thera was put on undue pressure”, Rathanapala Nayaka Thera said.

The Mahanayaka theras calling the Sangha Assembly had said democracy and good governance were now in an uncertain state and described this as “disastrous” for Sri Lanka’s future.