JHU Criticises Govt Over CID Interrogations Of Aluthgama Speakers
July 11, 2014
Buddhist hardline group Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) has urged the government to use all available diplomatic channels and state media to counter the negative impressions created on Buddhists and Buddhist monks following the anti-Muslim violence in Aluthgama and Beruwala, alleging a campaign is being carried out by several Muslim politicians including Rauff Hakeem to tarnish the Sinhala Buddhist community in Sri Lanka.
Omalpe Sobitha MP
JHU Leader, Buddhist monk Omalpe Sobitha in a letter to the President has heavily criticized the manner in which the government has reacted to the violence that erupted in Aluthgama, claiming the government reactions have in turn fuelled the campaigns launched by Muslim leaders to tarnish the image of Sri Lankan Sinhala Buddhists.
“Dalai Lama recently made a statement on Sri Lankan Buddhists that is completely misleading. What are the measures that have been implemented to counter such damaging statements?” he has questioned.
Sobitha had gone on to accuse Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem of orchestrating a conspiracy that seeks to tarnish the good name of Sinhala Buddhists before the international community by influencing them into believing the unfortunate incidents that occurred in Southern Sri Lanka are influenced by the majority of Buddhists in Sri Lanka.
Furthermore he had accused the government of allowing the investigations on Aluthgama violence to continue in a manner that is partial to the Muslim community.
“The assault of the Buddhist monk by a group of Muslim youth on Poson poya day was an extremely sensitive incident. Still, it has been continuously kept out of media reports and it is very disappointing to see that not a single Muslim politician has come forward to apologize for the assault so far,” he has added.
Sobhitha had also criticized the CID interrogations of speakers who addressed the crowds at the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) rally on June 15 while adding they believe an equally serious probe should be carried into determining which side launched the first attack and on who provided leadership for the Muslims in the areas to organize in order to attack the Buddhists.
