No Bhikku leader in the last decade had committed himself to the national integration and the Sasana as the way Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha has done, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said on Saturday addressing a gathering at the Embilipitiya Bodhi Raja Dharma Ayathana at a ceremony held to observe the 50th anniversary of the ordination of Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha thera.

"Be it his fast against PTOMS or the case demanding that Presidential elections be held in 2005 and a slew of other numerous contributions have carved Ven. Sobhitha thera a niche that no other Buddhist monk has been capable of" said Minister Ranawaka.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa addressing the event said that the JHU monks had played a pivotal role in galvanizing the Sri Lankan electorate towards the military victory against the LTTE. "They spearheaded the campaign of changing the defeatist mindset of the people" said Mr. Rajapaksa.