In a statement, the UNP say that they are 'indeed shocked at this inhuman act instigated obviously by those who are close to power.'

'The people of this country will remember this when the voting time arrives,' the statement adds.

The complete statement is as follows:

Statement Issued by the United National Party

It is with a profound sense of sadness and shock that we condemn the attack on the Sadaham Sevana Buddhist Temple, the residence of Venerable Athureliye Rathana Thero, the parliamentarian representing the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU).

It was only a couple of days ago the Venerable Monk and his General Secretary, Champika Ranawaka made their groundbreaking announcement of leaving the present Government. No sooner than they made this announcement the hired thugs of those who have been hurt by the departure of the JHU from the governing ranks resorted to this primordial expression of anger by throwing stones at the residence of a Buddhist Monk. This clearly shows how desperate the Government has become. They seem to realize that the only way to safeguard their ill-gotten privileges is by physically attacking their opponents.

The United National Party is indeed shocked at this inhuman act instigated obviously by those who are close to power. The people of this country will remember this when the voting time arrives.      

2014. 11. 20