Answering a question, the Thera said that devolution should be based on development and administration and not on race. More than 50 per cent of the Tamil people live with us in the South, he said. Required now are national policies based on social justice and merit. Answering another question Ven. Sobitha said that what we are up against today is not a North-South problem or an ethnic issue.
Development is vital.
If development is not carried out in the South, the JVP will be strengthened. Nine regional governments, he said, will leave no resources for development. He was for the equality of all religions in the country he said, answering yet another question. But Sri Lanka has been traditionally a Buddhist country. It must, therefore, be recognised as a Buddhist country.