The Police yesterday dispersed a group of extremist Buddhist monks led by Bodu Bala Sena secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero who arrived in Muslim-dominated Maligawatte area to clash with a Muslim organisation protesting against Israel.
The BBS monks argued with the police not to allow the Muslims to hold protest demonstration from Maligawatte to Colombo Fort.
Police had obtained an injunction against demonstrations in the Colombo Fort and Pettah areas and did not allow the demonstrators to enter the prohibited area.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued restraining orders on the Thowheed Jamath, Bodu Bala Sena and Sihala Ravaya organisations preventing them from holding demonstrations and protests in the Colombo and the Colombo Fort areas. The Buddhist monks had a heated argument with the police who then removed the monks amidst heightened tensions.
The Muslims belonging to the Thowheed Jamath organisation who were demonstrating against Israeli military strikes on the Gaza Strip blocked the road and held a rally against Israel. Leaders of the Muslim organisation attacked BBS as pro-Israelis, while the BBS countered by saying that the Thowheed Jamath is a dangerous organisation that has links to jihadists in Tamil Nadu.
Ministers complain to Chief Prelates on extremist Buddhist group
A group of ministers and parliamentarians yesterday met with the Chief Prelates of the Malwatta and Asgiri Chapters to discuss the threats and allegations levelled against Fisheries Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne by the extremist Buddhist organisation Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).
The group of ministers and MPs including Rajitha Senaratne, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, Mervyn Silva, Salinda Dissanayake, Duminda Dissanayake and MP Thilanga Sumathipala briefed the Chief Prelates on the harm to the country and the people from the actions of the militant monk leading the organisation Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero. The group has explained the Minister Senaratne’s recent spat with the militant monk and the Minister’s righteousness on the issue.
The Chief Prelates have assured to take action against any monk who violates the Buddhist principles and given their approval for the Government to take action against any monk who violates the law of the land.
The Government has come under criticism for ignoring the BBS Secretary’s actions and allowing the group to continue to threaten and intimidate religious minorities and those who support them.
Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero last week accused Minister Senaratne of having links with the Tamil terrorist group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Minister Senaratne had spoken strongly against the BBS for inciting recent religious violence against the Muslims in Aluthgama and in his electorate Beruwala.
Muslims in Sri Lanka protest in Colombo Over Gaza attacks
Reuters: Muslims in Colombo marched against Israeli attacks on Gaza on Wednesday (13 August) despite a Court order banning the demonstration after an extreme Sinhala Buddhist organisation warned it would disrupt the march.
Tension has been simmering between the country’s majority Buddhists and minority Muslim community for months, after Sinhala organisations led by Buddhist monks, began a campaign against what they call ‘Muslim extremism’.
Nearly 500 Muslims carried placards that denounced Israel and the West for not stopping attacks on Gaza. Their march was blocked by Police before it could reach a group of Sinhala extremists further down the road.
The Sinhala extremists said they opposed protests against Israel as it supported the Government during the 25-year conflict against minority Tamil rebels, which ended in May 2009.
Courtesy:DailyFT