The Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena said on Tuesday it will contest parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka, but denied reports that it would field a candidate to run against President Mahinda Rajapaksa in January's presidential election.
General Secretary Gnanasara Thero said monks will not contest, but that the BBS will put forward laymen candidates to contest the parliamentary seats.
"Buddhist monks will offer guidance to them and will not contest elections,” Gnanasara said.
He denied reports in Sri Lankan media that the BBS would contest the presidential election in January.
“The Bodu Bala Sena has no intention of presenting a candidate for the presidential election and we have not extend our support to any political party”, Gnanasara said to the Asian Mirror.
Rajapaksa will be seeking re-election for a third term in January, after removing the two-term limit on his second election win in 2010.