{"id":19211,"date":"2013-03-29T01:04:18","date_gmt":"2013-03-29T05:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=19211"},"modified":"2013-03-29T19:32:16","modified_gmt":"2013-03-29T23:32:16","slug":"mob-led-by-buddhist-monks-attacks-muslim-ownedfashion-bugclothing-establishment-at-pepiliyana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=19211","title":{"rendered":"Mob led by Buddhist Monks Attacks Muslim Owned “Fashion Bug” Clothing Establishment at Pepiliyana"},"content":{"rendered":"

By<\/p>\n

D.B.S.Jeyaraj<\/strong><\/p>\n

A<\/b> mob numbering hundreds led by Buddhist monks attacked the showroom cum warehouse complex of the reputed apparel firm\u201dFashion Bug\u201d in the suburbs of Colombo city at about 8 pm on Thursday March 28th 2013.<\/p>\n

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Muslim owned store attacked by a group including Buddhist Monks, vehicles damaged, heavy damage to the building-pic via: twitter.com\/azzamameen<\/p><\/div>\n

The Muslim owned \u201cFashion Bug\u201dchain of clothing stores with the motto of catering to \u201cchanging life styles\u201d is one of Sri Lanka\u2019s foremost business establishments.It has a chain of 18 clothes stores employing over 1200 persons.The majority of its employees are Sinhalese.<\/p>\n

\u201cFashion Bug\u201d has a showroom and warehouse complex situated near the Pepiliyana junction (intersection) in the Boralesgamuwa area.Its administrative head office is also within the complex. Pepiliyana is about 9 km away from Colombo city.
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\nInitially a group of around 25-30 persons including 8-10 Buddhist Monks had gone to a Buddhist Vihara in the vicinity and commenced a meeting at dusk.It is alleged that this group came to Pepiliyana from Nedimala,Dehiwela.<\/p>\n

It was stated at the meeting that a 15 year old Sinhala Buddhist girl employed at \u201cFashion Bug\u201dhad been raped within the premises by a Muslim working in the same establishment.<\/p>\n

MEETING<\/strong><\/p>\n

While the meeting was in progress the bell at the temple had been rung incessantly. When people in the predominantly Buddhist neighbourhood flocked to the Vihara after hearing the bell pealing they got to know of the meeting and attended it.The crowd increased rapidly.<\/p>\n

Buddhist priests and civilian speakers addressing the meeting harped on the alleged rape incident and stated that the honour and chastity of innocent young Sinhala Buddhist girls was at stake. \u201cFashion Bug\u201dwas accused of exploiting the Sinhala girls employed in the establishment.The gathering was informed that a campaign was necessary to save and protect the Sinhala Buddhists from Muslim exploiters at \u201cFashion Bug\u201d.They were exhorted to join the \u201csatana\u201d(<\/em>struggle) to \u201cRata,Jathiya,Aagama bera ganna\u201d(<\/em>save the country,race and religion).<\/p>\n

Provoked by this inflammatory oratory a mob of around 300 exited the Vihara precincts at about 8 pm and converged near the \u201cFashion Bug\u201d showroom and warehouse complex at Pepiliyana. The lead roles were played by the original group of \u201cagent provocateurs\u201d.Some Buddhist monks were at the forefront of the frenzied mob.A few were seen throwing stones.<\/p>\n

The mob had then started attacking the \u201cFashion Bug\u201d building with stones shouting anti \u2013 Muslim slogans.As the attack was in progress more and more people joined the swelling mob.<\/p>\n

In addition to the mob engaged directly in the attack, hundreds of \u201cspectators\u201d also gathered hooting and jeering.Some cheered the mob shouting \u201cJayawewa\u201d(<\/em>Victory)in an eerie scenario reminiscent of the July 1983 anti-Tamil pogrom.<\/p>\n


\nATTACK<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many collected sacks of stones and brought them to the scene of the attack to be thrown.<\/p>\n

Apart from throwing stones the mob also used iron rods and wooden poles to attack the building.The glass showrooms were smashed. Parked vehicles of \u201cFashion Bug\u201dwere also damaged.Some of the furniture was destroyed.Cloth Merchandise was burnt.<\/p>\n

Employees who were working there were threatened and chased away. The Sinhalese employees were told that they should be ashamed to work in a Muslim establishment. A few who talked back were manhandled and assaulted. Women employees were abused in raw filth.<\/p>\n

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A manager of the attacked store with head injuries at Kalubowila Hospital-pic via: twitter\/azzamameen<\/p><\/div>\n

Several employees of \u201cFashion Bug\u201dsustained injuries in the fracas.One manager is warded at Kalubowila hospital with head injuries.<\/p>\n

A Sinhala resident living close to the building was also attacked despite his shouting out \u201cI am Sinhala,I am Sinhala\u201d.<\/p>\n

MEDIA<\/strong><\/p>\n

When the media heard of the attack and rushed to the spot they were obstructed by the hooligans who did not want them to video or photograph the attack.<\/p>\n

Some tried to grab the cameras from the media personnel and tried to manhandle them. When the media persons broke free after a struggle and went forward they were subjected to a barrage of stones by the mob.<\/p>\n

At least seven members of the fourth estate were injured in the ensuing struggle and in the stone throwing. \u201cHiru TV\u201ds Isuru Udayanga had three stitches to his head.<\/p>\n

Although the Police arrived on the scene they did not display any \u201ckeenness\u201d to conrol the mob or prevent the attack. Instead the Khaki-clad Guardians of Law and Order were more interested in maintaining \u201claw and order\u201damong the spectators witnessing the blatant break-down of law and order.<\/p>\n

ACTION<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meanwhile Muslim Politicians in the Govt were alerted who in turn got in touch with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Brother Defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and appealed to them to take prompt action.The Inspector General of Police was also contacted.<\/p>\n

Thereafter orders were issued and Police personnel attached to the Special Task Force(STF) as well as military personnel were deployed in Pepiliyana.<\/p>\n

The STF and Army then exerted pressure on the mob leading to its gradual dispersal. The spectators too were chased away.<\/p>\n

The situation was \u201cbrought under control\u201d by 10.30 pm.<\/p>\n

Defence sector officials went to the \u201cFashion Bug\u201dpremises,inspected the damage and assured the management that their security would be guaranteed. Extra security measures have also been set in place.<\/p>\n

GOTABHAYA<\/strong><\/p>\n

Defence and Urban Development secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was also expected to visit the \u201cFashion Bug\u201d establishment and inspect the scene of attack but the anticipated visit did not materialise on Thursday night.<\/p>\n

Some Muslim websites have said that Gotabhaya Rajapaksa visited the Buddhist Vihara from where the mob came and spent a few hours there instead of going to the place that was attacked. These reports however are unconfirmed as yet.<\/p>\n

The Police have now begun routine inquiries into the incident. A few are being questioned but as is usual in recent anti-Muslim incidents no constructive action or serious arrests are expected.<\/p>\n

The exact identities of the original clique which initiated the attack are also not known.The names of the men in Saffron robes are also not known so far.It is however strongly suspected that the Bodhu Bala Sena was responsible for the attack.<\/p>\n

HATRED<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is well recorded that the \u201cEthno religious fascist\u201dorganization known as the Bodhu Bala Sena(BBS) meaning \u201cBuddhist Power Force\u201d has been spreading racial venom and hatred at the Muslim owned \u201cFashion Bug\u201destablishment in recent times.<\/p>\n

The Bodhu Bala Sena specifically targeted the Muslim owned apparel businesses “No Limit” and “Fashion Bug” at the rally held in Kandy a few weeks ago.The BBS General Secretary Ven.Galagoda Atthe Gnanasara Thera delivered a racist speech that promoted hatred against these firms.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have all the proof and information about the Fashion Bug and No Limit outlets and what they are doing to your girl children! What harm have we done to the Muslims?\u201d Gnanasara Thero said.<\/p>\n

Reading from a list of names the BBS General Secretary said they were Sinhalese men and women who had gone to work at Fashion Bug and No Limit in Kandy and been converted to Islam.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe ask the big bosses at Fashion Bug and No Limit, is this true or not? They claim it\u2019s not true. Oh the poor little pussycats. We are not asking anyone to go and stone these places and attack them. Come and have discussions with us \u2013 let\u2019s solve this through discussion,\u201d the monk said angrily.<\/strong><\/p>\n

HAREMS<\/strong><\/p>\n

He charged that nine Sinhalese girls were recently sacked from the Fashion Bug outlet in Kandy because a Manager at the store had begun having a relationship one of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHarems are being created. Are we to sit back and allow this to happen? This is not extremism. We have to discuss these issues,\u201d he charged.<\/p>\n

The monk urged the crowd to refrain from permitting their daughters from going to work at these shops.<\/p>\n

\u201cHereafter we will only send our boys to work in these shops. They will no longer get our women!\u201d the monk raged.<\/p>\n

Gnanasara Thero accused the store owners of mistreatment of the Sinhalese men and women who are employed there.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn Fridays to go to the mosque, they close their shops for two hours. They switch off the lights and the air conditioning. Like broiler chickens in a coop, our boys and girls are left inside while they go to pray \u2013 they will go for hell for this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

BUDDHISTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

The monk called for these stores to be shut down on Poya Days to allow Buddhists working there to go to the temple too.<\/p>\n

Even last Sunday (Mar 24th) the General Secretary of the BBS Ven.Galaboda Atthe Gnanasara Thera told a meeting in Panadura that Sinhala Buddhists should boycott Muslim owned businesses like \u201cFashion Bug\u201d and \u201cNo Limit\u201dwhen purchasing new clothes for the forthcoming traditional April new year.The BBS had wanted people to purchase from shops owned by non \u2013Muslims.<\/p>\n

Last week a series of SMS messages were sent out by the BBS to media persons seeking their support in the campaign against Muslim owned busineses. The media was asked to give ample publicity to the BBS appeal asking people to patronise only non \u2013Muslim hops during the April new year season.<\/p>\n

The BBS has also been appealing to Sinhala employees particularly women to refrain from working at Muslim owned Business establishments.<\/p>\n

RUMOUR<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a bid to justify the attack a rumour is being spread that the attack was due to the incident where a 15 year old Sinhala girl employee had been raped by a Muslim employee within \u201cFashion Bug\u201dpremises. It is being said that people of the area had got enraged about the incident and attacked the \u201cFashion Bug\u201d.<\/p>\n

Informed sources close to \u201cFashion Bug\u201dmanagement denied that such an incident had ever occurred there. It was pointed out that there was no employee below the age of 18 working at Fashion Bug\u201d.<\/p>\n

It is however learnt that a \u201crape incident\u201d had indeed occurred at Pepiliyana some weeks ago where a Sinhala girl was allegedly raped by a Muslim man who was arrested and placed in custody pending investigations. <\/p>\n

Neither the victim nor the perpetrator of the alleged rape had any connecton or link to \u201cFashion Bug\u201d.It appears that a deliberate attempt has been made to implicate \u201cFashion Bug\u201dwith that incident and incite the mob attack.<\/p>\n

ESTABLISHMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

The corporate directors of “Fashion Bug” were questioned by the Police at the CID directorate on Friday March 29th morning about the incident and statements were recorded. It appears that the Fashion Bug management would not be issuing any media statement about the incident.<\/p>\n

The rapidly developing \u201cFashion Bug\u201d establishment is entirely Muslim owned with four partners. The first clothing store was begun in 1994 in Bandarawela with 15 employees. Today it has 18 retail stores in different parts of the country with over 1200 employees more than half of whom are Sinhalese.<\/p>\n

The latest store was opened in Matara on March 18th with minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and Former Cricket capt Sanath Jayasuriya MP participating in the event.<\/p>\n

\u201cFashion Bug\u201dhas also involved itself with several community development projects including one at the Kalubowila Hospital.<\/p>\n

The \u201cFashion Bug\u201dmission statement says it wants to \u201cProvide society with superior products and services with affordable price by developing own brands, cater to changing lifestyles of the people which improve the quality of life and satisfy customer needs, and to provide employees with meaningful work and advancement opportunities\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

VISION<\/strong><\/p>\n

The \u201cFashion Bug\u201d website says |that their vision is to be \u201cthe most preferred Clothing chain in Sri Lanka\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If the Bodhu Bala Sena is allowed by the Raapaksa regime to continue with its racist hate campaign against Muslim establishments like \u201cFashion Bug\u201d that visionary dream is likely to turn into a horrible nightmare soon.<\/p>\n

DBS Jeyaraj can be reached on dbsjeyaraj@yahoo.com<\/em><\/p>\n

Tweet<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj A mob numbering hundreds led by Buddhist monks attacked the showroom cum warehouse complex of the reputed apparel firm\u201dFashion Bug\u201d in the suburbs of Colombo city at about 8 pm on Thursday March 28th 2013. The Muslim owned \u201cFashion Bug\u201dchain of clothing stores with the motto of catering to \u201cchanging life styles\u201d is …<\/p>\n

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