Despite Concerns Raised By Lankan Muslims, The “Butcher Of Burma” In Sri Lanka

September 27, 2014
Despite concerns raised by Sri Lankan Muslims over the visit of Burmese monk Ashin Wirathu who has been held responsible for spreading racial hatred that led to the murder of thousands of Burmese Muslims,  the monk has arrived in Sri Lanka last night to participate in the summit of Buddhist monks tomorrow, organised by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).

BBS Representatives had visited the Bandaranaike International Airport this morning to welcome Wirathu into the country.

Yesterday,  the Sri Lanka Muslim Council raised concerns over the possible visit of Wirathu to Sri Lanka to partake in the summit organised by the extremist group BBS. They pointed out that Wirathu’s participation and his speeches might led to a recurrence of the tragic events that expired in Aluthgama few months ago, similar to what happened due to the speech made by BBS General Secretary Galagoda Atte Gnanasara.

The organisations therefore, urged the government to refrain from granting visa to Wirathu pointing out it would help maintain peaceful co-existence in the country.

Gnanasara however lashed out against the organisations that opposed Wirathu’s visit.

“Venerable Wirathu has not been found guilty of perpetrating any crimes. No one has the right to oppose a visit by any Buddhist leader, particularly not someone of his caliber. Everyone must keep in mind that this is a Sinhala Buddhist country,” he added.

The government of Sri Lanka has granted visa to Wirathu who is held responsible for the murder of thousands of Muslims in Burma, just days after President Rajapaksa assured the General Secretary of the Organisation of Islamic Countries of doing everything in his power to ensure the safety of Muslims in Sri Lanka.

Time magazine ran a piece on Wirathu last year complete with a picture of the controversial monk on its cover page titled ‘ The Face of Buddhist terror’.

Don’t Fall Prey To Traps Laid By Extremist Groups: BBS Tells Buddhists

September 27, 2014 

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has expressed concern over statements issued by various organisations and individuals over the summit of Buddhist monks they have scheduled to be held tomorrow, describing them as ‘attempts made by racist, extremist groups and opportunist politicians to disrupt BBS activities’.

Dilanthe

BBS CEO Dilanthe Withanage issuing a statement has remarked that a series of actions are being carried out as part of a conspiracy to break the momentum that is building in support of their activities, by religious extremists, opportunists, fundamentalists and racists.

He has gone on to say the statement issued by the Sri Lanka Muslim Council on the visit of Burmese monk Ashin Wirathu to Sri Lanka to partake in the BBS summit is one such attempt to aggravate the local Muslim community against Buddhists and Buddhist monks.

“We regret their actions – Venerable Wirathu decided to visit Sri Lanka and participate in the Sangha Sammelana following an open invitation we extended to the international Buddhist community. There is no need for the SLMC to get riled up over it,” Withanage has stated.

Moreover, he called upon all the Buddhists in the country to ensure they do not fall prey to the traps laid by such groups because the primary motive of the Buddhists should be to build the country and not destroy it.

“Despite their continuous use of phrases such as ‘the promotion of co-existence in Sri Lanka’ they are carrying out underhand activities that destroy the nation. This is ample reason fr the entire nation to remain alert on their activities,” he added.

Withanage has gone on to criticize UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake’s statements involving the BBS, describing it as a ‘yardstick to measure how bad the opportunist politicians have failed in promoting their narrow agendas, before the uniting Sinhala Buddhist forces.’

Speaking further he has pledged to continue with the Summit tomorrow irrelevant of the challenges that might come their way and has urged the Buddhist community to refrain from engaging in any activity that would send a wrong impression about Buddhists and Sri Lanka to the global community.