{"id":31091,"date":"2014-06-24T04:41:11","date_gmt":"2014-06-24T08:41:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=31091"},"modified":"2014-06-24T04:44:32","modified_gmt":"2014-06-24T08:44:32","slug":"president-rajapaksa-must-not-pander-to-xenophobic-forces-to-prove-he-is-the-guardian-of-sinhala-buddhists-says-rauff-hakeem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=31091","title":{"rendered":"President Rajapaksa Need not Pander to Xenophobic Forces to Prove He is the Guardian of Sinhala Buddhists” Says Rauff Hakeem."},"content":{"rendered":"

By <\/p>\n

Sulochana Ramiah Mohan<\/strong><\/p>\n


\nSri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader and Justice Minister Abdul Rauff Hibathul Hakeem said in an interview that President Mahinda Rajapaksa should divorce himself from xenophobic forces.He also acknowledged that “Our public posture may not always reflect our private convictions” in a wide ranging interview.<\/em><\/p>\n


\nHere are Excerpts from the Interview-<\/strong><\/p>\n


\nQ:Aftermath of the Aluthgmaa incident you had said, “I am ashamed”. What are you ashamed of?<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A: The continuous disregard shown to us when we have been repeatedly exposing the unruly behaviour of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), the dangers of having them, for having ignored the consequences of their inflammatory speeches, we were ridiculed. Now we are a subject of ridicule among our people partly because the government deliberately sought to ignore our warnings and the fact that the Beruwala, Dharga Town and Altuhgama carnage is a direct result of inflammatory speeches by Galagoda aththe Gnanasara Thera and a few radical monks associated with the BBS and Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU).<\/p>\n

We are telling the government that it has failed to use law enforcement authorities against the hate speech culture these people are engaging in.<\/p>\n

There is no point in trying to talk about communal harmony without showing a resolute conviction in dealing with those people who break the law.<\/p>\n

As a matter of fact, the President from Bolivia tweeted to say, “Nobody will be allowed to take the law into their own hands.” True enough! However, when he returned, he changed his stance to “Conduct an impartial investigation.” In our opinion the President cannot move away from the assurance that “nobody will be allowed to take the law into their own hands.”<\/p>\n

After the Aluthgama incident, two serious incidents took place, one involving Watareka Vijitha Thera, although a ‘maverick’ enmeshed in political controversies, nobody can take away from him the courage shown in standing up to the thuggery of BBS which in turn made him a virtual prisoner in his own temple. What is unfortunate is the removal of his security when he was under serious security threat. He was finally bodily harmed, suffered serious wounds and left to bleed on the sidewalks of Mahiyangana. This is gruesome! Also at Mawanella, two police officers guarding the Magistrate faced a serious acid attack after the Magistrate didn’t give permission for a BBS meeting to be held there. What is distasteful is that the two incidents convey the message that, “If you try to stop us or try to criticize us openly, this is what will be the result. A fascist organization is sending a nasty message to the law enforcement authorities.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nYou had been telling that for the last 1\u00bd years you have been informing the President about BBS’ activities. But did you do your level best? If so, why did it go out of control ending up in communal riots?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: BBS has the patronage of some quarters of the government in taking forward the religious campaign against the Muslims. This originated in the form of the Halal certification issue. That was meant to be the pretext to create a popular platform of falsified arguments from the outset. Muslims have collectively tried to explain the rationale of the need to understand the cultural diversity and religious beliefs when it came to our food habits. Nevertheless, all of which has been used to show as if we are enforcing halal certifications to Sinhala businessmen and Sinhala consumers.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nIs the government with you and your community?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: On this issue however, we were saying, try to understand the integrity of our argument. Some of them in the government have a mental block. This campaign has been made into an emotional rollercoaster by the BBS and some radical parties in the government. Some party leaders, who joined the bandwagon, finally resulted in Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa taking upon himself to be an interlocutor. His intervention perhaps, diffused the issue that was turning into an explosive situation. But we knew from the very outset, it was only a “temporary phenomenon” and that the objective was to target at the economy of the Muslims.<\/p>\n

What we fear is if the government doesn’t act with some urgency or at least take proactive action or effective and meaningful steps to prosecute those who committed these dastardly crimes, they have to be held responsible, if not, Sri Lanka is going to become a ‘Banana Republic’ soon and this will seriously damage our reputation.<\/p>\n


\nQ:
\nWhat are the Muslims concerns now?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: They are simply outraged and angry.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nDid the Muslims verbally abuse you for not protecting them?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: People can become emotional and impulsive. We, the responsible leaders cannot get carried away by emotions. Yes, they did, but I had to be calm.<\/p>\n


\nQ:
\nWhy don’t you quit the government if you are angry and perturbed over the inaction by the government on the Aluthgama violence?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: My position is that if quitting from the government is going to be the solution for the problem, certainly, I shall not fear to do that.<\/p>\n


\nQ:
\nBut being with the government is not also helping you, isn’t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Staying with the government is the only tangible pragmatic option.<\/p>\n


\nQ:
\nBut Muslims claim that as a Muslim leader you have not fought enough for their rights. What is your reply to them?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I have fought. I am not somebody who will be running to the press all the time to explain what I have been doing. Those within the government know what kind of adversities and abuses I have faced by openly talking on the issues.<\/p>\n


\nQ:
\nDid you mean the government abused you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Yes I have been abused.<\/p>\n


\nQ:
\nAre you sad being a Justice Minister in this government?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Why should I be sad? When I stand up and talk I have been blamed. Last Thursday, at the Cabinet meeting, I was blamed for having said, “If I cannot find a solution through a domestic process of which we expect relief and redress, we shall not hesitate to go before the international forum\/community and place the case before them.”<\/p>\n

Q:
\nWill you do that?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: We have already submitted a detailed dossier last August to the UN. We have complained to the UN Human Rights Commissioner (UNHRC) Ms. Pillay which became a controversy.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nWhat did that dossier contain?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: About 300 incidents where the Muslims have been targeted.<\/p>\n


\nQ: Over the Aluthgama incident are you approaching Human Rights Commissioner Ms. Navi Pillay again?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Yes. We will continue to supplement those complaints by further cataloguing all what is happening in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nYou had met US Ambassador Ms. Michelle J. Sisson. Can you brief what was discussed?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: She visits not only us but all the parties to clarify and find out others perception on the situation. I explained to her about the serious breakdown of law enforcement. Government will have to bear the full responsibility. The Aluthgama incident is not just a ‘one off incident.’ The culture of the BBS enjoying what they do is unprecedented. I don’t think this type of freedom is permitted to any other people who break the law openly.<\/p>\n

It is strange that even after the incident, BBS holds a press conference and blames the police for the carnage in Aluthgama and that they are not responsible for it.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nAren’t you happy with the President’s call for an “impartial investigation”?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: When he tweeted from Bolivia, he said that he will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands, but after arriving, he changed that position to “Calling for a impartial investigation.” There is a vast difference between those two statements.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nWhy do you think the President changes his stand?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: In my opinion, the President’s dilemma is that whether to deal with the situation with a firm hand or to pacify everybody involved? If he takes the pacifists’ course, he will be a ‘loser.’ He must realize that we have been telling him with sincere intention because we want this country not to fall into the trap set by certain dubious elements, which appears to be operating under some unknown force within the government. We have been always saying this to him. We kept stressing to find out who is behind this.<\/p>\n


\nQ:
\nIn your opinion, who can it be?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I don’t know, but I cannot understand why the intelligence community which is so sharp, which had the best expertise to defeat the worst terrorist outfit in the country is unable to find out what is happening in the country now.<\/p>\n


\nQ:
\nWhy do you think the government is not doing anything about it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: The whole issue is that they keep saying and gives the appearance that this is a counteraction to radicalization among Muslims. This is a puerile excuse. The government seems to be giving… and this is a very dangerous trend.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nIs there infiltration of Al Qaeda in Sri Lanka?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: That is what they say. If there is, I am asking what is the intelligence community doing in Sri Lanka? Are they fast asleep? If there are radical elements and Al Qaeda members, bring them before the courts and punish them. Just because someone has a long beard and wears a dress code, if that is an issue for some other religious community, that cannot be called radicalism. This is outright xenophobia which has been created by a particular group and that xenophobia has been justified by some in the government.<\/p>\n


\nQ:
\nYou mean government is suffering from xenophobia?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I want our President to understand that this xenophobia existing among a person in the government is certainly not helpful in protecting his image.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nDo you think the President is unaware of all what is happening around him?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: He should divorce himself from xenophobic forces. We hold our President in high esteem for eradicating terrorism. But to protect Sinhala Buddhism in the country, I don’t think he has to pander to xenophobic forces to prove he is the guardian of the Sinhala Buddhist of this country.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nDid the President say the attack at Aluthgama was pre-planned. What does he mean?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Yes he did say. He says there appears to be some evidence of planning such an attack. How can you deny the fact that for almost three to four days before the carnage, there were meetings held in Buddhist temples in the area. Intelligence would have also known about this.
\n <\/p>\n

Q:
\nDo you hold the government responsible for pre-planning the attack?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: That is going to the extremes. I want to restrain myself as a responsible Minister though “impulsive people” may rush to that conclusion. I want to be seen as a balanced person and rather say that government is guilty of omission, if not commission. Some of them who attacked us were said to be in uniform. That is a serious situation. It is an allegation at the moment, but it is disturbing.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, two persons who were shot at died at Welipitya, but the inquest and postmortem are ridiculous. I can produce evidence of used bullets where the two were injured. I went to the spot. The bullets weren’t fired by civilians. However the autopsy report has indicated that the deaths were due to serious cut injuries. That is a preposterous situation if medical reports are being fabricated.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nCan you, being the Justice Minister, prove reports were fabricated?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: We shall have to work on it. My party is going to visit the site again where the killings took place.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nIf the government does not heed to your requests, will you step down?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I have quit governments twice. Show me any other person who quit governments twice? I have shown my mettle where I have to show. At this moment if my quitting is going to bring relief to the people, then I will quit. I am prepared.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nHolding a portfolio such as Justice Minister, have you performed at your level best?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Being with the government it carries certain weight.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nWhat is that ‘weight’you have?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I am using it now. I am doing so without any restrictions.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nWhat is your demand from this government?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I say: Please see that justice prevails at all cost. Don’t cover-up for what has happened. We know much bigger secrets behind these perpetrators and we shall not hesitate to expose. The only thing is that I am not an irresponsible person. I want reconciliation between all communities.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nWhat is the Arab world telling you about the attacks on Muslims?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Saudi Arabia has sent a strong message in a statement. The Arab world is watching the situation.<\/p>\n


\nQ:
\nYou had also met seve<\/strong>ral Islamic countries’ mission heads after the Aluthgama incident. What was the discussion all about?<\/p>\n

A: I told them about the situation. They are alarmed. They took note of what is happening. Purpose of meeting was to give a detailed information of the issue and it is up to them to come to a conclusion and report to their governments.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nIs the government angry with you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: At the Cabinet meeting the President was critical of me for having met with the ambassadors and other foreign delegates. Some of the members in the Cabinet and belonging to radical parties who have a pathological aversion, accused me of betraying the country.
\n <\/p>\n

Q:
\nGovernment is working on the peace building process with the Tamils. Should there be a mechanism for the Muslims as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: When I meet TNA Leader R. Sampanthan, MP Sumanthiran or Northern Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran to have a friendly discourse on matters of mutual interest in politics, the next day some members go on the platform and say we are all plotting against the government and are ready to divide the country, acting under the direction of foreign forces. This is the puerile politics they engage in. I am used to this. I am a responsible minister. Yet, I call a spade a spade, but I will not quit in a huff. If I do, some will ridicule me of using ministerial offices as a game of musical chairs.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nHowever, many say you do play musical chairs. Can you be more precise about what you would do next?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I am determined now. We are answerable to the international community. We are at the threshold of an international inquiry. We say intrusive, informal inquiries must be held. We must have a domestic credible mechanism to go into what is happening in the country.<\/p>\n


\nQ:
\nDo you want the Panel of Experts (PoE) probing human rights allegation to visit Sri Lanka?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: No. but we must have a mechanism, transparent enough, to have trust in our own judicial process, and to have open sittings. We boycotted purely over the Aluthgama incident and not for or being against the PoE coming to Sri Lanka. I went on behalf of the government to Geneva. We are against an international probe. We also think like others that the UNHRC is biased when it comes to handling Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nBut you went to the UN with a report on the Muslim situation?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Don’t be confused. The UN and UNHRC mandates are different.<\/p>\n


\nQ:
\nHowever, the UN will refer your case of attack on your community to be handled by the UNHRC, isn’t it? Won’t the UNHRC be biased with your report too?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I spoke of Human Rights Commissioner Ms Navi Pillay and said several times her statements are not a tissue of lies. No one can say she is lying after seeing the Aluthgama incident.<\/p>\n

Q
\n: In that case, do you believe Ms. Navi Pillay’s report on Sri Lanka is accurate?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: We are part of the government and I stand by the government. I have a collective responsibly as a cabinet minister and cannot defy it.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nBut you have a conscience that you need to work with?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Our public posture may not always reflect our private convictions.<\/p>\n

Courtesy:ceylon Today<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader and Justice Minister Abdul Rauff Hibathul Hakeem said in an interview that President Mahinda Rajapaksa should divorce himself from xenophobic forces.He also acknowledged that “Our public posture may not always reflect our private convictions” in a wide ranging interview. Here are Excerpts from the Interview- Q:Aftermath …<\/p>\n

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Need not Pander to Xenophobic Forces to Prove He is the Guardian of Sinhala Buddhists” Says Rauff Hakeem.’ »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31091"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=31091"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31091\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31093,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31091\/revisions\/31093"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=31091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=31091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=31091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}