Sunday, June 15, 2014

என்னைக் கடத்தியவர்கள் ஆயுதம் தரித்திருந்தனர் விடுவிக்கப்பட்ட மாணவன்

POSTED BY SIVA KUMAR-2014 JUNE 14,

என்னைக் கடத்தியவர்கள் ஆயுதம் தரித்திருந்தனர்

என 19 நாட்களுக்கு முன்னர் கடத்தப்பட்டு, நேற்று (14) விடுவிக்கப்பட்ட மாணவன் வன்னி பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் சிவசக்தி ஆனந்தனிடம் தெரிவித்தார். குறித்த மாணவன் கடந்த 27ம் திகதி வவுனியா நகர்ப்புரத்தில் வைத்து கடத்தப்பட்டார், பின்னர் நேற்று இரவு மாணவனின் வீட்டிற்கு அருகில் கண்கள் கட்டப்பட்ட நிலையில் அவர் விடுவிக்கப்பட்டிருந்தார்.

குறித்த மாணவனின் உடல் நிலை மோசமாக உள்ளதாக தெரிவித்து பெற்றோரால் வவுனியா பொது வைத்தியசாலையில் நேற்று இரவு அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டிருந்தார். இந்த நிலையில் இன்று (14) மதியம் வன்னி பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் நேரில் சென்று கலந்துரையாடினார். இதன்போது மாணவன் தான் வவுனியா பஸ் நிலையத்தில் வைத்து கடத்தப்பட்டதாகவும், காட்டுப் பகுதியொன்றிலேயே தன்னை நால்வர் கடத்தி வைத்திருந்ததாகவும் பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினரிடம் தெரிவித்திருந்ததுடன் கடத்தியவர்கள் ஆயதம் தரித்திருந்ததுடன் சரளமாக தமிழில் கலந்துரையாடியதாகவும் தெரிவித்திருந்தார்.

இதேவேளை தான் முன்னர் வாழ்ந்த கிராமம் ஒன்றின் பெயரை குறிப்பிட்டு அங்கு வாழ்ந்தாயா என்பதனையே கேட்டிருந்தாகவும் உணவு சீரான முறையில் வழங்கப்படாததுடன் இறுதி மூன்று நாட்கள் தனக்கு முழுமையாக உணவு வழங்கவில்லை எனவும் இதன்போது கூறியுள்ளார். இதேவேளை தான் கடத்தியவர்கள் உறங்கிய சமயமொன்றில் அவர்களின் தொலைபேசியை எடுத்து வீட்டாருடன் தெடர்புகொண்டிருந்ததாகவும் கூறிய மாணவன், தான் எங்கு தடுத்து வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்தேன் என்பது தெரியாது என சுட்டிக்காட்டியுள்ளார்.

மேலும் தன்னை விடுவித்த அன்று கண்கள் கட்டப்பட்டு வாகனம் ஒன்றில் ஏற்றிக்கொண்டு வந்ததாகவும் சுமார் இரண்டு மணி நேரமாக வாகனம் பயணித்துக்கொண்டிருந்ததன் பின்னரே தான் விடுவிக்கப்பட்டதாகவும் பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினரிடம் மாணவன் கூறியுள்ளார். இதேவேளை மாணவனின் தாயார் ம. பூமதி கருத்து தெரிவிக்கையில் , வவுனியா நகர்ப்குதியில் மரக்கரி விற்பதற்காக வந்த தனது மகன் உயர்தர வகுப்பு புத்தகம் உன்றினையும் பத்திரிகையையும் வாங்குவதற்காக புத்தக கடையொன்றிற்கு சென்றிருந்தான்.

எனினும் உயர்தர வகுப்பு புத்தகம் அங்கு இல்லாததால் பஸ் நிலையத்தில் உள்ள புத்தக கடையில் அதனை வாங்குவதற்கு சென்ற சமயமே கடத்தப்பட்டு 19 நாட்களின் பின்னர் விடுவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளான் என தெரிவித்தார்.

Chickens Coming Home To Roost

By Emil van der Poorten -June 15, 2014

Emil van der Poorten

Those of us who grew up in other times need to be forgiven for falling back on aphorisms from those times!

One of those sayings was that which is the title of this contribution and has its more modern version that goes, “What goes around, comes around” which, in turn, can be viewed in the same light as Newton’s Third Law which goes, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

The incompetence that flows from the corruption in administration of public institutions was brought home to us a few days ago when one of our employees had to continue his sojourn in his home village, originally required by the death and funeral of his father, when his teenage son came down with severe abdominal pain. The young man was “warded” in the local hospital and was being treated for what was diagnosed as either gallstones or kidney stones. This appeared to be a rather unusual malady for a youngster of that age and the boy’s father, after initial acceptance of the diagnosis, began to express his doubts and, acting on “gut instinct,” insisted on the boy being discharged from the rural hospital. He then “channeled” a specialist in the Hill Capital who wanted the youth admitted immediately to the provincial hospital where he underwent urgent surgery for removal of the obstruction. That there was an element of urgency in the need for surgery for the young man was most evident by the fact that he was admitted to a surgical ward which was, by all accounts, grossly over-crowded with patients sharing beds, some under the beds and some beside them! He was discharged after the removal of the kidney or gall stones the very next day which did sound rather odd given the fact that he would be returning to his home village, several hours away from treatment in the hospital at which he was operated if such emergency care was needed. Not a great fate for anyone in a country which used to have free health care not so long ago and where life and death appears to now be dependent on the spin of a wheel of chance!

Read More

UK remains concerned about human rights in North

Sri Lanka

Question

Asked by Lord Tyler-11 Jun 2014

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent assessment they have made of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka; and what recent discussions they have had with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights about the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka of 27 March.[HL16]

11 Jun 2014 : Column WA10

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): We remain concerned about the human rights situation in Sri Lanka especially in the North. Our concerns include the continued intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders (HRDs) and activists, attacks on religious minorities, and the protection of the right to freedom of expression and opinion.

Through our Mission in Geneva, we maintain regular contact with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Following the adoption of the resolution, we are engaging with international partners to ensure the implementation of the resolution's international investigation into violations of international law by both sides during Sri Lanka’s conflict. We believe that progress on accountability, human rights and reconciliation is important in establishing enduring peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. Such progress will ensure Sri Lanka can reach its full potential as a strong and prosperous nation.

UK remains concerned about human rights in North

14 June 2014

The United Kingdom has reiterated concerns over the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, highlighting the North, in a statement in parliament earlier this week.

Speaking as the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence was under way, Senior Minister of State Baroness Warsi stated in parliament,

“We remain concerned about the human rights situation in Sri Lanka especially in the North. Our concerns include the continued intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders (HRDs) and activists, attacks on religious minorities, and the protection of the right to freedom of expression and opinion.”

The statement came as Sri Lanka refused to endorse the British-led initiative to end sexual violence in conflict.

She was responding to a question raised by Lord Tyler, over the British government’s recent assessment of the situation in Sri Lanka. Speaking on the upcoming UNHRC inquiry into Sri Lanka, Warsi continued,

“Through our Mission in Geneva, we maintain regular contact with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Following the adoption of the resolution, we are engaging with international partners to ensure the implementation of the resolution's international investigation into violations of international law by both sides during Sri Lanka’s conflict. We believe that progress on accountability, human rights and reconciliation is important in establishing enduring peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. Such progress will ensure Sri Lanka can reach its full potential as a strong and prosperous nation.”

PPP Phobia

By Austin Fernando -June 15, 2014

Austin Fernando

‘PPP Phobia’ is the latest addition to medical jargon. It is ‘Provincial Police Power-sharing Phobia.’ It has affected many politicians and political analysts in Sri Lanka- these days.

Media reported that the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) has informed Indian Prime Minister that she will devolve to Provincial Councils (PCs) all powers except Police Powers (PPs). Does this mean the longstanding resistance to sharing land powers is no more?

“Irida Divayina’ (1-6-2014) stated that GOSL has intimated that she feared sharing PPs that would disintegrate the Sri Lankan Police to nine units; would pave the way for the Northern PC to establish a Tamil Police Force; and, initiate an ethnic struggle. Since the Northern PC is commemorating deceased Tigers, Provincial Police would prevent investigating terrorist activities, Divayina added. Similar statements were seen in Divayina on 7-6-2014.

Tamil politicians also behave as if there is no politics for them without police and land powers. It is also a mistake. They had forgotten the nasty experiences undergone under the Tamil National Police Force established by Chief Minister (CM) Vartharajah Perumal. Irrespective of these they yell for PPs with the assistance of Tamil Nadu CM Jeyalalitha.

PCs demanding PPs from the center Read More

Govt. turns war crimes probe into polls issue

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Though not publicly known, a subject of importance Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, just hours after being sworn-in, was the issue of Pakistani militant groups gathering in Sri Lanka to plan terrorist acts against India.

That was during talks at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on May 27. It came barely a day after Rajapaksa took part in Modi’s swearing-in ceremony at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. According to a Sri Lankan source present at the talks, the query from Modi citing the alleged involvement of an intelligence agency also in this exercise took Rajapaksa by complete surprise. He undertook to go into the matter when he returned to Colombo.

Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein New UN High Commissioner designate for Human Rights

Dame Silvia Cartwright

Sandra Beidas

Govt. Turns War Crimes Probe Into Polls Issue by nelvely

The UN Investigation And The Rajapaksa Right To Impunity

| by Tisaranee Gunasekara

“…..that deceptive cry of mock patriotism: ‘Our country, right or wrong!’”

Carl Schurz (The Policy of Imperialism)

( June 15, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) It was a miracle – of the Rajapaksa variety. When the BBS thugs invaded the Industries and Commerce Ministry on April 23rd, the CCTV camera system in the Ministry malfunctioned . So the Fort magistrate was informed.

No CCTV footage; no evidence. The BBS will get away with one more crime.

The UN Investigation and the Rajapaksa Right to Impunity by nelvely

Video: “This Will Be The End Of All Muslims” Gnanasara Says Prior To Riots

June 15, 2014

Galagoda Atthe Gnanasara in an inciteful and fear mongering speech earlier today in Aluthgama prior to the riots said that “if one marakkalaya ( Muslim) lays a hand on a Sinhalese that will be the end of all of them” to a rousing and cheering crowd.

The crowd were visibly moved and kept cheering each inciteful statement made by Gnansara prior to launching their attack on the Muslims.

“The police have turned their bayonets against us that is wrong. The Police should know what is happening in this country. We are asking the Defence establishment if the Sinhalse and the Bikkhus have ever raised a hand to one business establishment?. But this is enough. We haven’t raised our hands ( against them), not because we can’t… its not because we can’t”( crowd cheers)

He also said that the BBS was “racist”, while telling the Police officers present that they are a part of the “Sinhala Police and the Sinhala Army”.

He also said that the name of “Dharga town” should also be changed. ”This is what these temporary…. this is the gratefulness that the have shown to us like Madumadhawa said”.

Excerpts of the speech below

To watch in Sri Lanka click here

Economic embargo on Sri Lanka not an option – Indian Minister

June 15, 2014

India’s Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Nirmala Seetharaman, says that while there are many ways to solve the fishermen and Sri Lankan Tamils issue, an economic embargo on Sri Lanka, as demanded by a Tamil Nadu Assembly resolution, was not an option.

On Tamil Nadu fishermen being arrested by Sri Lanka continuously, she said Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was of the firm view that this could not be allowed to become a festering issue.

“The government is engaging with Sri Lanka on the need to find a permanent solution to the fishermen problem as well as the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils,” she pointed out.

However, she said, while there were many ways to solve the issue, an economic embargo on Sri Lanka, as demanded by the Tamil Nadu Assembly in a resolution, was not an option, The Hindu reported.

Riots Expand; Minister Held Hostage

June 15, 2014

Deputy Minister Faizer Mustapha is currently held hostage at the Nallemiyah Arabic College in Beruwala with an armed mob standing outside to attack those within, reports just coming in from the ground said.

Deputy Minister Faizer Mustapha,

However, sources close to the Minister said that the Minister wasn’t held ‘hostage’ but was blocked from leaving the premises, after he went in to the school. Unconfirmed Reports also said that the Minister had sought refuge in the school after his convoy was attacked by the mob.

Muslims from across the village have sought refuge at the Arabic College from the rampaging mobs.

Reports just coming in said that Lotus Raod in Dharga town is now under attack by rampaging Sinhalese mobs, who have defied the Police curfew that was imposed at 6.45. PM today.

Two mosques in Adhikaragoda among many other mosques have been torched thus far, reports said.

Several individuals have also sustained injuries although reports are unclear as to the exact number.

NEWS JUST IN: The attack has spread to Colombo, with the Harcourts pharmacy in Dehiwala is attacked.

*Harcourts pharmacy in Dehiwala

JHU accuses north of having chauvinistic language policy

Wednesday, 04 June 2014

The state language policy should be implemented equally in the entire country without any exceptions for the north or the south, says the Jathika Hela Uruyama.

The northern provincial council’s having sent letters only in the Tamil language is a clear violation of the country’s language policy, which effectively shows the north was having a Tamil chauvinistic language policy, according to JHU’s central committee member Ven. Passaramulle Dayawansa Thera.

Speaking to the media today (04), he said there was information the Arabian language too, was being used in Muslim-majority areas in the eastern province, adding that roads and lanes are being displayed only in the Tamil and Arabian languages there.

Extremist forces are trying to promote the use of the Arabian language among the Muslims, the Thera said, adding the government has a responsibility to stop it before the country’s unity is adversely affected.

JHU national organizer Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe said the chairman of the NPC has sent his party a letter in the Tamil language, and displayed to the media the letter in question.

The NPC should have either translated it into Sinahala, or sent it in the English language, he said, adding that the NPC was on purpose avoids doing so in order to challenge and ridicule the national language policy.

He said a complaint will be lodged with the National Languages Ministry of Vasudeva Nanayakkara to rectify this situation, adding that they could understand the sorry plight of the minority Sinhalese in the north.

Mr. Warnasinghe also said it was a violation of the language policy to introduce English-only question papers at the Law College, and that it was a step to confine the learning of the law to a privileged few.

Court proceedings too, should take place in a language understood by the people, the JHU national organizer said, noting the judiciary is still under the influence of the British colonial mentality.

He accused minister Nanayakkara of turning a blind eye to this situation.

Sinhala Buddhist monk attacks Muslims for use of Arabic

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 June 2014, 01:08 GMT]
“There was information the Arabian language too, was being used in Muslim-majority areas in the eastern province, […] roads and lanes are being displayed only in the Tamil and Arabian languages there. Extremist forces are trying to promote the use of the Arabian language among the Muslims,” Colombo media reports cited Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) central committee member, Ven. Passaramulla Dayawansa Thera saying earlier this month. The very Sinhala language itself evolved in a similar process of Buddhism introducing a religious language, Pali, to overlap with the proto-Dravidian and Austro-Asiatic tongues prevailing in the island. Later, a myth was created that the Sinhalese came with their language from North India to get ‘polluted’ by ‘South Indian invaders’, responded an academic in the island.

The government has a responsibility to stop Muslims using Arabic before the country’s unity is adversely affected, the Sinhala Buddhist monk was further cited in Colombo media.

If the Tamil-speaking Muslims in the island have started adding Arabic in their public usages and if there are claims that the Muslims are descendants of Arabs, there must be valid political, social and cultural anthropological pressures and reasons for it, the academic commented, adding that the larger and fundamental issues have to be understood rather than further extremism coming from a misplaced State formation of colonial legacy in the island.

Unlike classical Tamil and modern Tamil that have accommodated all the major religions of the world and have come out with original literature on them, the Sinhala language unfortunately is linked to only Buddhism and with much reluctance to Christianity. The Sinhalese have to understand the lacuna in their linguistic heritage, the academic said.

There is a popular tendency in the Sinhalese today to look at any Tamil or Dravidian element in their language and cultural heritage as ‘later arrivals’ that have come with ‘South Indian invaders’.

In recent times, this pronouncement is repeatedly stressed like a maniacal campaign, whenever any Sinhala writer explains the presence of anything that is Tamil or Dravidian in the island.

The Sinhalese have to question seriously why can’t it be the other way round, the academic said.
* * *
Meanwhile, the JHU monk has also accused the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) for sending official letters to Colombo only in Tamil.

The NPC should have either translated it into Sinahala, or sent it in the English language, he said, adding that the NPC was on purpose avoids doing so in order to challenge and ridicule the national language policy, Srilankamirror.com cited the monk.

“He said a complaint will be lodged with the National Languages Ministry of Vasudeva Nanayakkara to rectify this situation, adding that they could understand the sorry plight of the minority Sinhalese in the north,” the media report said.

The Colombo government claims that it has conceded ‘national language’ status to Tamil too, but what happens in practice and with what intention of linguistic genocide the claim is made are well known. How Tamil is mutilated and Sinhalicised when Colombo uses that language is also well known, Tamil political observers in the island said.

While the fledgling NPC is working virtually with no resources and power, with all the resources of the State and international backers of the State mainly the USA and India, the Colombo government’s excuse for not implementing Tamil language in administration and communication with Tamils, is that it doesn’t have enough staff to work in that language.

Altuhgama Under Siege: Muslim Owned Shops Are Torched

June 15, 2014

Curfew has currently been declared in Aluthgama after protestors of the Bodu Bala Sena had attempted to stone the Darga Town muslim mosque erupting in a clash between the Muslims in the mosque and protesters, initial reports said.

Several Muslim owned shops have been torched by the violent mobs. Risky Hardware store is currently in flames with STF soldiers firing rubber bullets to dispel the protesters.

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) had organised a protest this afternoon in Aluthgama after which the incidents have occured

The situation is currently tense with Military reinforcements being sent from Colombo.

Senior Police sources confirmed to Colombo Telegraph a shortwhile ago, that the BBS mob had incited the violence following the meeting. The Sources confirmed that although Police curfew was in place shops are currently being torched.

Around 4000 Muslims are currently gathered at the Dharga Town mosque where they had taken refuge from the violent mobs. The situation comes two day after violent mobs torched six Muslim shops after Muslim youth had allegedly assaulted a Buddhist monk. When the case was taken up there was no JMO report filed detailing the inujuries on the monk while the youth have denied assaulting him.

The Kaluthara Bar refused to appear on behalf of the two suspects with two lawyers from Colombo ultimately being sent to represent them.

Todays protest came in the backdrop of caution and requests from the Muslim community to stop the protest due to the tension that arose on Poson Poya day. However, the government and the Police which in usual circumstances appeal for an order against a protest which has the likelihood of turning violent, instead permitted the mob to protest right in front of the mosque.

The Special Task Force on the ground are said to be doing an impressive job and have prevented the mob from entering Muslim residential areas. The situation still remains tense.

Police Media Spokesperson SSP Ajith Rohana requested all persons in the area not to move on thoroughfares and other streets.

Alas Aluthgama!

Indefinite police curfews imposed in Aluthgama and Beruwala
Mosques, houses, shops attacked as mobs break curfew

By Dharisha Bastians
Police curfews were declared in two Kalutara District towns last night, after communal tensions flared in the restive area following a rally held by a hardline Buddhist group in Aluthgama town.
An indefinite police curfew was in place from 6:45 p.m. after a Bodu Bala Sena rally in the tense town of Aluthgama yesterday went predictably south, with clashes erupting when parts of a mob in procession attempted to stone a mosque in the Dhargatown area.
Images of property on fire and thick black smoke spiralling into the skies in Aluthgama emerged last night and orders went out to police across the island to strengthen security for mosques and Muslim prayer centres in their areas. About 1,200 police personnel, including 400 STF, were deployed in Aluthgama to maintain order yesterday.
With the unrest spreading, police also declared curfew in the adjoining Beruwala police division, an area with a large concentration of Muslims in residence.

Early warnings ignored?

A delegation of Muslim organisations met with Western Province DIG Anura Senanayake in Kalutara yesterday to hold discussions about security in the area, the Daily FT learns. Police assured the organisations that they would ensure maximum security in the area.
Deputy Minister of Investment Promotion Faiszer Mustapha, who was in Japan last week, wrote to the Secretary of the Ministry of Law and Order, Maj. Gen. Nanda Mallawararachchi urging him to prevent the Bodu Bala Sena rally from taking place, sources said.
In a letter to IGP N.K. Illangakoon, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, the Wakf Board of Sri Lanka, the All Ceylon YMMA and the Colombo Masjid Federation said that “extremist organisations” Bodu Bala Sena and Sinhala Ravaya had organised a rally in Aluthgama to protest against an alleged attack on a Buddhist priest in the area last Thursday.
“This is a dangerous situation that could develop into a major riot, hence we call upon you to take immediate and decisive action to safeguard the lives and property of Muslims in Aluthgama and surrounding areas,” stated the letter to the IGP, that was also copied to DIG Anura Senanayake yesterday.

Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said that unrest had been reported in Beruwala and that curfew had been imposed, but refused to confirm any attacks. The Bodu Bala Sena rally was permitted to go ahead, despite entreaties by Muslim ministers and Muslim civil society groups, who urged authorities to prevent the meeting because tensions had already flared on Thursday following an allegation that several Muslim youth had assaulted a Buddhist monk and his driver in Aluthgama.
Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero addressing the rally in Aluthgama yesterday, referred to Muslims in derogatory terms and accused sections of the Government of being in collaboration with the Muslim Community. “They keep calling us racist and religious extremists. Yes, we are racists,” he charged as the crowd cheered him on. “This country still has a Sinhala police. A Sinhala army. If a single Sinhalese is touched, that will be the end of all them,” he screamed.
Correspondents in the area said it was not clear which side had started the clashes in Aluthgama, but described the situation as being war-like moments later.
Over 10 shops in the Dhargatown area in Aluthgama were torched, with police and Special Task Force personnel firing tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the mobs, to no avail.
Houses in the Kotapitiya, Meeri Penna and Adhikarigoda areas in Aluthgama were also set on fire, with Muslim residents fleeing their homes to take sanctuary in several mosques in Dhargatown. Some injuries were also reported from Dhargatown, but the reports were unconfirmed at the time of going to press.
Several photographers and videographers filming yesterday’s chaotic scenes were assaulted by the mob, reports said. Several hours after the curfew was imposed, the tension in the area continued.
Eyewitnesses said the STF was deployed in large numbers and helped to restore some calm in the area.
Deputy Minister Faiszer Mustapha, who urged the authorities to prevent the Bodu Bala Sena rally from taking place from Japan (see box), rushed to the Aluthgama area last night.
Muslim families gathered at the Dhargatown Marikkar Street Mosque and several other mosques in the area, as homes came under attack by violent mobs, who continued to move about despite the curfew in force.
Shops came under attack in the Beruwala area at 9 PM, in spite of the police curfew, according to sources in the area. Crowds of people were on the March again in Aluthgama by 9 p.m., with police warning Muslim residents to stay indoors. Fixed line telephones in several areas of Aluthgama also went dead late last night.
Despite the widespread rioting and tension, the Government was yet to release an official statement calling for calm, at the time of going to press.

President tweets for calm from Bolivia

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on a state visit to Bolivia late last night tweeted that the Government would not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands.
“I urge all parties concerned to act in restraint,” President Rajapaksa tweeted on the Aluthgama unrest. He said an investigation will be held for the law to take its course of action and to bring to book those responsible for incidents in Aluthgama.

Media Blackout On Aluthgama Situation: Police To Cover Mosques Island-Wide

June 15, 2014

The Police have given instructions to Police stations island-wide to give protection to all Muslim mosques in their locality following the mob attack on Muslim houses and businesses in Aluthgama, the Colombo Telegraph learns.

While the situation in Aluthgama has currently been brought under control after the imposing of a Police curfew, the Police have also enforced a curfew in the adjoining Muslim dominated Beruwala area.

Reports from the ground said that many Muslim houses and businesses are currently in flames following the attack by goons of the Bodu Bala Sena.

The Colombo Telegraph learns that highly placed officials have informed editors of news and print media in Sri Lanka to desist from reporting the ground situation prevailing in Aluthgama,

Instead, the media have been told to only inform the public about the curfew imposed due to a “tense situation”.

The Aluthgama incident comes in the wake of a mob attack launched by thugs on Muslim businesses on Thursday.

The Bodu Bala Sena had held a meeting in the Dharga Town today regarding an alleged assault on a Buddhist monk. Galagoda atthe Gnanasara had addressed the rally and reportedly made inciteful remarks before the mob started stoning an adjoining mosque.

*Pictures courtesy BBC Sandeshaya