Attacked Mosque Released The Original Letter Of Permission For Relocation
The Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs authorised the functioning of the ‘new’ mosque premises that was attacked last night in a letter dated as recently as 8 August 2013, the Colombo Telegraph learns.
Despite attempts by violent mobs led by Buddhist monks who attacked the prayer centre during sunset prayers last evening to claim the three storey structure on Swarna Chaithya Road in Grandpass was an unauthorised building, a letter from the Ministry claims that it had permitted the functioning of the mosque at its new premises at NO 158 after the old Molawatte mosque on No 166 of the same road had been acquired by order of the UDA.
The letter signed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs M.K. Dissanayake explicitly says that following the UDA takeover, the mosque situated at 166 Swarna Chaithya Road is permitted to continue its functions at the new premises at No. 158 of the same road.
For Whom The Bell Tolls – Anti Buddhist Behaviour
The Current Issue-August 11, 2013
Sri Lanka has seen yet another incident of violent behavior motivated by hate, greed and arrogance. Theattack on the Masjid (Prayer Centre) on Swarna Chaitya Road, Grandpass, during prayers no less and just after the Holy month of Ramadan is a despicable act by one of the so called Buddhist armies, formed to protect “Sinhala Buddhism”, as the Buddhist “temple” bell rang out..
New Kind Of Buddhism
One needs to look for this new kind of Buddhism, which is a hybrid of ethno religious nonsense. Why do real Buddhist feel apologetic? Why do “real” moderate Buddhists feel that the behavior of Bodu Bala Sena, Ravana Balaya and Sihala Ravaya is highly unacceptable? It is simply because the very names are anti Buddhist as there is no force in Buddhism. Let us call them the Buddhist Armies as that is exactly their behavior. Very similar to the wars of crosses in the past. Ironically Buddhism which was never given at the point of a sword, today sees this great philosophy being used by force to practically ethnic cleanse areas to gain territory for the Sinhala Buddhist cause, calling it the protection and restoration of sacred areas, protection of Buddhists against exploitation of halal certification and citing various other reasons.
Sihala Ravaya exchanging words with members of the Muslim community in Grandpass last week.
The attack on this mosque in Grandpass and surrounding houses could not have been done with the fervor of protecting the Sinhalese Buddhists. Nor could these activities be done without state patronage and support, with blatant disregard for communities who live alongside each other. It is quite clear therefore that the Buddhists, a majority who are moderates need to raise our VOICES – loud!
Incidents Against Muslims And Religions Other Than Buddhism
This incident brings the count to over 160 incidents against Muslims by the Buddhist Armies, in the last six months. The incidents are a mix, most being attacks on religious places of worship, business establishments, houses and personal attacks. The Centre for Policy Alternatives has compiled another report on Attacks on Places of Religious Worship (only), which collates the descriptions of the attacks on mosques, churches and kovils, totaling 65 since the end of the war from 2009 to March 2013.
