By

Rauff Hakeem MP

(Text of Statement Issued by Minister of Justice and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem over the Protest Demonstration launched by Buddhist sections against a Muslim owned Textile store in Maharagama)

I wish to convey my dismay and displeasure regarding the apathy displayed by the law and order machinery in not containing the spread of the hate campaign at Maharagama in front of a private business enterprise, yesterday. I also categorically condemn the hate campaigns against the Muslims and their business enterprises that are on the rise today in the country.

The seemingly anti-‘Halal’ protest as was witnessed in this hate campaign has no relevance or bearing on a textiles and clothes boutique such as this one. The derogatory references to the Muslims as a community, and the related isolated incidents that have taken place in different parts of the country in the recent past, are also a disturbing trend that ought to be reversed. We seek a peaceful end to these hate campaigns immediately. Law and order must be enforced to nip it in the bud. The government is duty-bound to protect all communities equally including the weak and the vulnerable.

At a time the country is recovering from a protracted thirty-year war, it is distressing to note that the conflicts between ethnic communities are showing signs of flaring up again, aided and abetted by certain groups trying to discredit the government and the Sri Lankan State. We must act with restraint and tolerance, by not falling prey to vested interests that spread hate and religious bigotry and thereby inviting unwanted external interference. I believe that this could also be part of a conspiracy to isolate Sri Lanka in the international arena. As intelligent citizens who love our motherland we must not pay heed to those promoting religious disharmony.

I have always acknowledged that the Muslims are an integral part of the Sri Lankan nation. We have always endeavoured to live in absolute harmony with the Buddhists for almost one thousand years and others from different faiths. The Buddhists have always been benevolent to the community and we must not allow this peace to be destroyed.

As the Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, a constituent party of this government, I appeal to the Muslims and to the Sinhalese to foster the full integration of Muslims into a Sri Lankan nation and to condemn attempts that destroy this harmony. I appeal to the Muslim community too to act with absolute tolerance as per the divine teachings of Islam.”