Three Muslims Arrested; BBS Chief Resigns: No Arrest Of “Mob”
Kirama Wimalajothi
June 17, 2014
Three Muslims have been arrested this afternoon while reportedly attempting to torch a Sinhalese business establishment in Darga Town, with no arrests being made as yet on the mob which caused mayhem in theAluthgama and surrounding area during the past two nights.
Reports said that the youth had been arrested with two petrol bombs, while one youth had been arrested while attempting to flee.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior defence official told Colombo Telegraph that the 12 persons played an integral role in the riot, but were released due to orders.The Colombo Telegraph reliably learns, that 12 persons who were the ‘main brains’ behind the riots, belonging to the BBS or its affiliations were arrested and released on orders “from the top”.
Meanwhile, a Bodu Bala Sena affiliated rally organised in Mawanella was called off after the Police obtained a court order against the rally.
Media reports also said that the Chairman of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Kirama Wimalajothi had resigned from the organisation “due to his dismay at its conduct”
Reports however said that Wamalajothi was not willing to come before the media and make a statement denouncing the organisation.
Earlier a Sri Lankan journalist, detailing the modus operandi of the BBS wrote that the BBS opts to blackmail monks who do not fall in line with their ideologies, leaving many against the organisation helpless.
Mahanayake “Asserts Unity”
Ven, Davuldena Gnanisssara thero, the Mahanayake of the Amarapura Chapter-June 17, 2014 |
Making the first statement by a Chief Prelate, Ven, Dawuldena Gnanissara thero, the Mahanayake of the Amarapura Chapter, denounced the violence and stance of the Bodu Bala Sena stating that ” We were a country that lived together without any racial religious hatred” and asserted that ” Sinhalese Tamils and Muslims should all live together ”“We were a country that lived peacefully. If there is an issue that should have been settled through conversation not by violence to persons and property. I assert that the Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims should live together”In a handwritten statement the Mahanayake thero said that the incidents in Aluthgama and Beruwala are unfortunate.
The statement titled “peace through the Buddhist philosophy” is construed as a direct contradiction of the actions and sentiments of the Bodu Bala Sena.
The statement comes over 48 hours after the riots. There has been no denouncing or condemnation of the riot by the Mahanayake, or by the Mahanaykes of the three other chapters. The Asgiriya and Malawathu Mahanaykes are yet to make any statement regarding the riots which left 3 dead and scores injured.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa nor the Sri Lankan government has not issued a statement regarding the riots to date except for an initial ‘tweet’ by the President.
