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• Documents state Soma Thero was concerned
  over 'wrong information' relating to illness

Conspiracy theory laid to rest

While a nation continues to bemoan the loss of Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero, dubbed the 'People's Hamuduruwo,' it has transpired that the priest who passed away in Russia on December 12 had been reportedly worried about his countrymen worrying about him and spreading 'false information' with regard to his illness.

A letter written by Chairman, Buddhist Society in Moscow, Rupasiri Perera on December 6 to Kosala Jayasinghe, a Sri Lankan based in Australia has stated that he felt the priest had some worries plaguing his mind.

"I asked the Thero about his inner feelings because I felt some worries. He does not worry about his own health but he is much worried about the attitude of the people towards his illness. He gets so many telephone calls from different countries, mainly from Sri Lanka and Australia; 99% of calls make him worry because the people do not know the situation here and they have not received the correct information," Perera's letter reads.

Perera has further stated that on behalf of the Buddhist world, they were asked to help and take care of Ven. Soma Thero. "Now on behalf of all the Buddhists of four directions, I ask you to help Ven. Soma Thero by informing others not to worry the Thero with unnecessary telephone calls. Ask them to talk about only positive things, ask them to encourage the Thero in this difficult situation," it read.

The letter further states that the late priest trusted the doctors and those around him and that he was physically and mentally tired of these nonsense calls.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Ambassador in Moscow, U.B. Wijekoon too has submitted the view that the Ven. Thero died of natural causes caused by a severe heart attack in his report sent to the Foreign Ministry in Colombo. The same report has been copied to the secretaries of both President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

With speculation being rife about the sudden demise of the priest and certain lapses on the part of organisers in keeping the Sri Lankan Mission in Moscow briefed as stated in Wijekoon's letter itself, the Sihala Urumaya has lashed out at the organisers of the tour for not keeping the embassy informed about an important Buddhist priest's visit for five long weeks, and finally doing so in an adhoc manner when the priest has fallen ill, giving rise to further suspicions.

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