Kandy shops closed in support of Rathana Thera’s fast!

In a show of support for the fast by Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera opposite the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy demanding the removal of the Eastern Governor, Western Governor and Minister Bathiudeen, the Kandy Sinhala Traders’ Association has decided to close all business establishments in the Kandy city today (03), said the Association Secretary Vajira Keerthi.

He said that all business personnel would gather at the Sinhala Traders’ Association at 9.00 am today and march to the location where Rathana Thera is in a show of support for his effort.

Meanwhile, the Treasurer of the Sinhala Traders’ Association Yasas Chandrasekara said that the Tamil Traders’ Association had also expressed willingness to support this move. 

Rathana Thera’s health condition

The doctors attached to the Kandy Hospital had examined the Thera engaged in the fast last night.
They said that Rathana Thera’s health condition is deteriorating.

As of today, Rathana Thera has been engaged in his fast for the fourth day.

Only Thileepan died during a fast

The only person so far to have died during a protest fast is former LTTE member and Medical Student at the Jaffna University Rassiah Pratheepan alias Thileepan.

He died 31 years ago and the memorial statue erected at the spot he died during his fast behind the Nallur Temple in Jaffna, is currently not at that location.

On September 15, 1987, Thileepan commenced his fast unto death demanding the removal of the Indian Peace Keeping Force from the country.

During his protest, LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran had also come and requested him to abandon his fast. However, Thileepan refused to end his fast and on September 26th he died during his fast.
At the time of his death the LTTE had promoted him to the rank of Lieutenant Colonal and he was known as Lt. Col. Thileepan.