By

Asanthi Warunasuriya

A spate of incidents in the recent past targeting Muslims has spread fear among residents in Aluthgama of a repeat of the June 2014 riots.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe assured there would never be another communal riot in this country again.

However, residents of Dharga town in Aluthgama told The Sunday Leader they live in fear. While, there were some who expressed satisfaction at the security being provided by the current regime, others said they live in fear that at any moment another riot could flare up. This fear in them is a result of the riots that stirred the area around three years ago.

Speaking to Police Spokesman DIG Priyantha Jayakody regarding the fear that has engulfed people regarding an impending riot, he said he is of the view that there is no need for such fear as even the IGP had issued notice last Sunday to all station OIC’s, SSP’s and officers of all police stations to address even the most trivial racial incidents and bring those responsible for creating such incidents to book and resolve these issues without letting them get out of hand.

The IGP had also instructed them to implement the Civil and Political Rights Act of 2006 implementing the powers given under section 56 and take action against anyone flouting the laws pertaining to creating racial disharmony among races, insulting of other races and creating racial tensions.

Despite the terrible incidents that created so much racial tensions and fear among the people on June 13 several years ago, even today those trying to incite these racial tensions are none other than those clad in yellow robes. This past incident still haunts the residents of Dharga town.

On that fateful day around 16 houses on Adhikari road in Dharga town were razed to the ground. In addition, around 25 houses were damaged while around eight shops too were burned down in the incidents and according to Muslim residents, their valuables were looted and jewellery stolen during these attacks. These damaged houses were rebuilt by the then government, but until today these victims have not received any compensation for the valuables and furniture etc that was destroyed in the incident. These are citizens of our country too and they have the same rights to live without fear just like the rest of us.

Dharga town Mosque restored

The mosque in Dharga town has now been restored to its former state and many of the damaged buildings have been renovated and repaired. Yet, the fear in the hearts and minds of the people still remain afresh and this was something that all those we spoke to told us as well. In such a backdrop, the Muslim leaders of the area have made a request to the security forces to provide extra protection to the area during the month of fasting. Recently, politician Azath Saley together with the trustees of the Devatagaha mosque met with the European Union Ambassadors and discussed this issue and handed over a letter indicating their concerns. In return these diplomats had notified them that they would take up this matter with the government.

The Sunday Leader met up with the Chief Incumbent of the Kande Viharaya in Aluthgama, Ven. Kokkawita Wipulasara Thera to obtain his views regarding this issue. “It is not possible to base a few of these incidents and destroy the reconciliation among the people of this country. There is no such clash between races in this area. I ask the people not to be misled by certain parties and act with caution according to your greater intelligence. As youth, sometimes they could be misled by rousing their emotions, but I urge the youth to act sensibly. There are two STF camps in the area and the people need not worry about such an incident again. However, as the main temple in the area, we at this temple are taking all measures to preserve the rights of all the religions and races living here and will certainly work towards creating religious harmony among the people,” the Thera added.

However, recent events have been focused on targeting Muslim settlements and business establishments. Although these isolated incidents have so for not got out of hand, the authorities need to address these minor incidents and prevent them from getting out of hand. While the law enforcements institutions are committed to protecting every citizen of this country and the people are asked to have faith in these institutions, it is also time the government understood the mentality and fear that these incidents have created in the minds of the minority communities. These attacks against the Muslim communities were certainly not something that was instigated by the majority of the general public. They have no animosity against any community. Yet these incidents were sparked by religious extremists with ulterior motives.

STF stopped mosque attack

The Masjidun Noor Mosque alias Adikarigoda Mosque at Aluthgama was damaged but it was saved to some extent because the STF had arrived in time when the mob was attacking the mosque. It was this mosque that eventually provided shelter to those who were under attack and provided food and essentials to those displaced due to the riot. According to the trustee of the Masjidun Noor Mosque alias Adikarigoda Mosque Abdul Gafoor Mohamad Hifadh at Aluthgama, “Although we complained about these incidents to the authorities, so far no investigation has been conducted. We are very saddened by this situation. As the trustee of the mosque I did my best at the time for the people in the area. Even today the people still live in fear that another incident could happen. During this month of fasting, not only the men but our women also go to the mosque at night and we have made a request to the ASP in the area to provide extra security at night during this month. This government has taken measures to ensure the safety of the Muslim people and we are very thankful to them for that. However, we still live in fear not knowing what might happen next,” he said.

As a country, Sri Lanka has faced several incidents based on racial and communal lines and it is sad that this small country had to endure such incidents. The national assets and funds that were wasted in having to restore infrastructure that was destroyed due to these incidents is a waste and it also deprives the country of much needed funds for future development and progress. Such incidents only hold back development and advancement of the country which in turn deprives our younger generation of their future.

If those instigating such incidents had even an iota of intelligence they would realise the repercussions of their actions. Moreover, today the world is intent of clamping down on such racial and religious attacks. In such an environment, even though in the past these incidents were only limited to this country as an internal issue, it could in the future, result in interference of foreign powers as it is now considered a global issue. Hence, although petty minded groups could think of stirring up such racial and communal tensions for their own sinister benefits, they must bear in mind that under these circumstances, these issues would pave the way for international interventions that would jeopardise the integrity of our country and pave the way for foreign powers to get involved.

Child dies due to shock

One of the residents on the area whose house was burned down in the incidents told us that a child living in that house too had fallen ill and later died due to shock. “My sister was living at the back of our house as she had lost her husband. When these mobsters came to attack our house and with the riots, she had been hiding in the jungle behind the house. There was a teacher living next door and she is old and was partially blind as well. She was found in a swamp nearby as she had fled in fear when the mobs were attacking our houses. We had to put pieces of wood in the mouths of our children for fear that they would shout in fear and the mobsters would kill us. It was a terrible incident. It makes no difference if people are Muslims, Buddhists or Christians, we are all people of the same country and we have been living in harmony. We are all only temporary residents of this world and we will all die someday, but for the time we spend on this earth, we should all live in peace and harmony.

That day the mobs arrived from outside in three busses and attacked the houses and looted our valuables. Until today we are waiting to receive compensation for the valuables and household things we lost,” this resident said.

Another resident said, “We live among the Sinhalese people in harmony and have had no issues with them. The next day even the Chief Priest of the Kande Viharaya came to inquire about us. We need compassionate and understanding religious leaders like him. Last week we had a meeting at the police station and we explained our grievances. MP Hisbullah on several occasions had brought this matter up. Why has the government not provided any answers to these issues so far? Until today those who were responsible for the attacks have not been held accountable,” another resident lamented.

On that fateful day, two were killed and two youth were rendered disabled due to injuries to their legs. They were friends and had gone to see the riots and had been attacked which left them injured and disabled. We visited the home of one of these victims, Mohommed Asjal, but he was not at home at the time and instead we spoke to his mother Fathima Selvia. The second in a family of four children, Asjal is now a young man of 21. “On that day when this happened to my son and he was taken to the Nagoda hospital, they had assaulted him and said this should happen to ‘Thambias’. They had refused to even give him some water. It was due to the negligence of the hospital that my son had to eventually amputate his leg. We have no issue with any religion, we cry every day and we live in fear.

My son lost his leg

Everyone comes and writes down our story and goes but to date nothing has happened. My husband and I have got ill thinking of these problems and I am just after a bypass operation. My son’s leg has to be redone or a new artificial leg has to be put. It’s been three years since his artificial leg was put and now he has got wounds on his leg. Azath Saley donated us a three wheeler, but he cannot drive because of his disability. When we are no longer alive who will take care of our son? We had hopes that he would someday take care of us but now we are sick thinking of these issues. We have no money to spend to go to court regarding these matters and since we cannot appear for these cases, they will be dismissed in time and the perpetrators will go scot free. My husband is a labourer. The government can rebuild the destroyed houses but who can give back the leg that my son lost? These are grave sins. This incident has ruined by son’s whole life,” she lamented.

On May 12, 2015 DIG Anura Senanayake had held a discussion at the ASP office in Kalutara and the VIP’s of the area and mosque trustees were expected to participate in this meeting. However, requests were made that this meeting be cancelled as it was given much publicity and they feared further clashes would result if the meeting was held.

Former Opposition Leader of the Beruwela Pradeshiya Sabha, Abdul Rahuman Marikkar Bathiudeen said, “We asked that this meeting be cancelled as there could have been further issues. But, Anura Senanayake said it could not be done as it was an order from the higher authorities and promised to deploy around 2,000 STF personnel for our protection. Hence we came for the meeting. The whole town was talking about this Sunday meeting and people were scared. The mosque is situated at the entrance to Dharga town and there were fears being spread that there was a plan to attack the Dharga town mosque. Due to this fear, everyone had gathered near the mosque to protect it but they were unarmed.

Attack took place during curfew

After the meeting ended mobs came to the town burning buildings and attacking. The incident escalated near the mosque. Generally when such an incident takes place curfew is imposed to protect the people.

Accordingly, curfew was imposed at around 5.55 that evening. But, it was during the curfew between 6pm to 10 pm that the murders looting and destruction of property took place. What is most saddening is that all this happened while the security forces were there and they watched without preventing it. That is why the people are still scared. The security forces were idling and allowed these incidents to happen perhaps because of orders from higher authorities,” he said.

In response, Police Spokesman Priyantha Jayakody said he cannot comment regarding the security at that time, yet he can assure the people of their safety today.

Meanwhile subsequent to the events in Aluthgama the people of this country joined hands irrespective of cast, creed or religion to redevelop the devastated area. Accordingly, the Aluthgama Development Fund (ADF) was established. However, the people complain that while this fund provided their needs, the government did nothing for them except rebuild their destroyed houses. Their issues were looked upon as a minor matter by the government but today in the light of disasters affecting the country, people helped each other.

It was the same then. We need to think as Sri Lankans despite our racial or religious differences. Bathiudeen calls on the government to appoint a special committee to investigate the incidents that took place back then and punish those responsible for the incident. It is the general norm that people protest when the government fails them, hence, this is a collective call for the government to address an issue that has devastated not only the property of another segment of our society, but it continues to worry them mentally. Hence, the government must address this issue and find a lasting solution ensuring that such incidents are never repeated.

Galagoda Gnanasara Thera

However, when contacted Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, he was unable to comment on this matter due to legal proceedings underway, but said he had no issue with Muslims or any other religious denomination. He said racial tensions are being spread by a few and their actions will not be endorsed by him.Due to the actions of a few extremists and racists such incidents may occur and the people can be misled. However, as a multi religious and multi ethnic nation we must learn to live in peace and harmony with all groups as one united Sri Lanka. That is the only way we can resolve our issues and progress as one nation.

Courtesy:The Sunday Leader