Sri Lanka, Dec. 2 -- The Mahanayake Theras of the Sangha, Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters stated that all Sri Lankans must set aside ethnic, religious, colour, and party differences and unite to help one another, restore normalcy, and rise stronger in this time of national disaster.

In a joint statement, the Mahanayake Theras expressed their deepest condolences for all lives lost in what they described as the most catastrophic natural disaster to affect the motherland in recent history.

The statement was issued under the signatures of the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter of the Siam Nikaya, and the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chap...