Self-immolated bhikkhu passes away

by Kurulu Kariyakarawana

Ven. Bowatte Indraratna Thera who self immolated near the Sri Dalada Maligawa, in Kandy on Friday around noon passed away at the Colombo National Hospital around 8.30 pm yesterday.

The Bhikku had received severe burns throughout his body had affected his internal organs, Director of National Hospital Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

Meanwhile, the Kandy Police are on the lookout for the person who had aided and abated the thera by supplying petrol for self-immolation.

Eye witnesses told the police that the bhikkhu who had made a public statement against cattle slaughter and illegal religious conversions had doused himself with petrol before setting himself ablaze with an object similar to a cigarette lighter.

He was rescued by bystanders including police and STF personnel who doused the flames and rushed him to the Kandy Hospital.

The thera was a former Jathika Hela Urumaya member of the Pelmadulla Pradeshiya Sabha who had lost his seat after being repeatedly absent from council meetings. He was also expelled from the party two weeks ago due to disciplinary reasons.