Oct 14, Colombo: The dissident Buddhist monks' wing of Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) has criticized the party leadership for its downfall.

The United Bhikku Front has said that the UNP's dictatorial rule has led to the downfall of the party.

Issuing a statement, the United Bhikku Front has criticized the decision taken by the UNP's Working Committee to prevent party members from attending a rally on the 18th held to call for abolishing of the executive presidency.

The Working Committee had reached this decision at its meeting held on the 12th.

"The Maha Sangha, along with the religious dignitaries of other faiths, intellectuals, professionals, social activists, politicians, artistes and trade union leaders, have come forward to press the government to abolish the Executive Presidency," the Front's statement has noted.

The statement has added, that "All political parties, civil society activists and intellectuals from all walks of life, have responded positively to the protest rally. However, it is sad to note that the Working Committee of the UNP had arrived at a totalitarian and dictatorial decision to ban all members from participating in the protest."

However, the monks have called on the UNP members who respect democracy to participate in the rally.