Peace for the World

Peace for the World
First democratic leader of Justice the Godfather of the Sri Lankan Tamil Struggle: Honourable Samuel James Veluppillai Chelvanayakam

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

History repeats in Sri Lanka

The far right is not satisfied and wants to take revenge with Muslim blood. According to one Buddhist monk, there is an ‘invisible hand’ directing these marauders with political motive. If the next election is going to be fought on the Muslim issue, and once that issue is also exhausted, who will be the next target to win the following election? Indian Tamils? History repeats in Sri Lanka – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

logoThursday, 16 May 2019

Anti-Muslim violence that started in Negombo in the aftermath of the Easter carnage is now spreading into the north-west, aided,as usual,by some anti-Muslim elements in the police and armed forces.

In the meantime, President Maithripala Sirisena is far away in China, flown to talk about civilisation while his own country is de-civilising, and a hapless Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe can only appeal to the people to remain calm and visit the ruins left after destruction. The country is virtually without a government for the second time.

The situation is continuation of a history that started in mid-1950s.Since that time communalism has been picked as the only trump card to fight and win parliamentary elections. Sinhala nationalism, Tamil nationalism and Buddhist chauvinism were used very effectively by major parties to win elections.Lately Islamism also has joined the fray. With far right Buddhist elements coming into the scene in a big way, communalism is showing its ugly head once again before the next season of elections, which is around the corner.

Until 2009 every election was fought on the Sinhalese fear of Tamil language, Tamil nationalism and Tamil separatism. Even though the leftists were an exception and shunned this communalism they too had to surrender eventually to communal forces in 1970 before the left disappeared from the scene in 1977.One would have expected JVP to come clean by condemning the Buddhist far right for the anti-Muslim violence currently raging, but its voice too has remained muted except to blame the Government.

After the LTTE was defeated militarily and separatist threat was eliminated,Sinhalese politicians ran out of communal steam to drive an election campaign. When the 2015 elections came there was an expectation in some circles that the chauvinists would commemorate the 100th anniversary of 1915 with another round of Sinhalese-Muslim riots.

Mahinda Rajapaksa thought,however, that his victory over Tamil separatism was sufficient to win the race, but it failed to garner enough votes. After that some tried to rekindle the separatist fear by claiming that LTTE elements are still lurking in the corner. That doesn’t seem to carry much weight because there is no hard evidence. Therefore there is a need to find a new communal bogey, and that came on a platter with the Easter massacre.

It is true that Muslim leadership, both political and religious, failed to detect early enough, and despite several warnings, the dangerous currents that were flowing deep under the muddy waters of a religious awakening since 1990.However, once the Easter mayhem showed clear evidence, they were forthright not only in cooperating with the authorities to eliminate such currents but also to re-think and re-start their religious programs and teachings.

Yet, the far right is not satisfied and wants to take revenge with Muslim blood. According to one Buddhist monk, there is an ‘invisible hand’ directing these marauders with political motive. If the next election is going to be fought on the Muslim issue, and once that issue is also exhausted, who will be the next target to win the following election? Indian Tamils? History repeats in Sri Lanka.

The ultimate victim of this communalism and chauvinism is the economy and there lies the greater danger. It is only five months since the economy started recovering after it was hit by the failed constitutional coup by the President. The bloody Easter and ongoing violence since then have struck another blow to the economy.

If lawlessness is not brought under control swiftly, more and more scarce resources have to be allocated to law enforcement, which will leave less and less resources for development. With inevitable decline intourism, falling exports and less foreign investments, the country has no other option but to borrow even more to pay for its imports, and fall deeper into debt. A debtor’s financial predicament will force that debtor fall prey to sinister plans of cunning benefactors.

Already, US, China and India have shown willingness to rescue the country. The question is at what cost? Like Hambantota, there is Trincomalee, KKS, and Colombo Portto be mortgaged. Is Sri Lanka prepared to sell its heirlooms? These are the dangers towards which the country will be pushed if the far right is not defeated and communal issue is not resolved.

(The writer is attached to the School of Business and Governance, Murdoch University, Western Australia.)

Banning Terrorist Organisations; Why Did It Take So Long?

Niresh Eliatamby
logoThere is little doubt that the government’s pussyfooting around for more than three weeks since the horrendous attacks on Easter Sunday, led directly to the violent situation that erupted in some parts of the country over the last few days, bringing Sri Lanka to the brink of another civil war.
In the absence of proper national leadership, while political leaders mucked around, trading accusations and shamelessly trying to gain political capital for themselves, radicals on all sides made merry, creating tension among communities and finally launching a devastating campaign of murder, arson and mayhem through the Northwestern Province and parts of the Western Province. 
Nothing demonstrates the ineptitude or deliberate foot-dragging of politicians in office, together with some of the officials involved with public security, than the fact that the organisations responsible for Easter Sunday attacks were only banned by the Government of Sri Lanka on 14th May 2019. That’s an extraordinary 23 days after the event that shook the world. Gazette Extraordinary No. 2123 dated May 13, 2019 under the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40) finally proscribed the National Thowheed Jama’ath (NTJ), the Jama’ath Milla’athe Ibrahim (JMI) and the Willayath As Seylani.
This is quite incredible, considering that the State Minister for Defense as far back as 23rd April publicly named the first two of these three organisations as being behind the suicide blasts, which was the worst terror attack on civilians in the world since the World Trade Centre assault in 2001.
The actual writing of the gazette notice would have taken an experienced legal draftsman all of 15 minutes. Simply look up the last such gazette notification, perhaps the one that proscribed the LTTE, and change the name of the organisation, the gazette number and the date. And of course, the name of the president. Or perhaps the officials were unsure of how to spell the name of the president? The process of translating it into the other two national languages would take another 15 minutes. Obtaining approval from the various layers of bureaucracy and the president himself would take perhaps the rest of the day. So it is quite clear that there was a deliberate delay in proscribing these organisations. Considering that the president issued a statement more than two weeks ago stating his intention to ban the first two organisations, the delay is indeed a mystery that the president needs to clarify. Or perhaps we need another presidential commission to inquire into the matter.
Just as mystifying is the fact that the gazette was issued while the president was not even in Sri Lanka. Perhaps he signed it just before he left. Don’t even get me started on the fact that he waltzed off to China on Monday, after the rioting started on Sunday! And he didn’t seem to feel the need to rush back. That’s three countries he’s visited in the last 30 days, during which time he also celebrated his son’s wedding.
Even more incredible is the fact that the GOSL is yet to make any concrete move to ban Islamic State or the acronyms it’s known by – ISIS and ISIL – which on 23rd April claimed to have carried out the Easter Sunday bombings. Since then, it has become abundantly clear that the NTJ and perhaps other groups have been directly linked and supported by ISIL. Yet, at the time this article is being written, ISIL remains an unbanned organisation in Sri Lanka, and there doesn’t even seem to be a discussion going on within the GOSL to ban it. This is quite extraordinary, considering the fact that more than 60 countries around the world have banned ISIL, including India, Pakistan, China, the USA, Russia, the UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia and Malaysia. The United Nations and European Union banned it as far back as 2004, a full 15 years ago!
But perhaps the GOSL’s reluctance to ban international terrorist organisations runs deeper. Remember the attack on Sri Lanka’s cricket team in Lahore in 2009? The Pakistani government blamed the radical Afghan-Pakistani group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi for the attack. This group is currently banned by the United Nations, USA, Pakistan, UK, Australia, Canada, etc. But here in Sri Lanka, to my knowledge, our government has not seen fit to ban it. No matter that they wounded eight members of the team and one of the umpires, and killed six Pakistani policemen guarding the team.
What that practically means is that groups such as ISIL and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi could operate with impunity in our own country even now.
In fact, take the head of ISIL, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. He personally appeared in a video in which he praised the Easter Sunday attackers and spoke with great pride of the carnage that ISIL engineered in Sri Lanka. Our president actually addressed him directly and asked him to leave Sri Lanka alone. But incredibly, al-Baghdadi himself is not a wanted man in Sri Lanka. The GOSL has not instituted any legal proceedings against him, or sought an international or local arrest warrant on him. Of course, it’s highly unlikely that such a legal move would result in al-Baghdadi’s capture. But these are steps that any rational government should take. Such steps could be initiated by any number of branches of the government – Police, Sri Lanka Army, Attorney General, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc.
Al-Baghdadi could fly in to Bandaranaike International Airport and ask for an on-arrival tourist visa right now, and the only thing preventing him would be the alertness of the immigration officer at BIA!
The same goes for the GOSL’s attitude towards other organisations in Sri Lanka which practice terrorism, including militant Buddhist organisations that have for years sown terror among Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. The heads of several of these organisations have quite belatedly been arrested now. But why on earth wasn’t this done before they created this week’s mayhem? In fact, they’ve been advocating anarchy and destruction for many years now, but governments and police alike have looked the other way. Is the government giving any thought to banning some of these organisations?

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SLWJA condemns Maj. Bulathwatte’s re-instatement


Thursday, May 16, 2019

Working journalists yesterday condemned the decision to re-instate Major Prabhath Bulathwatte, who is the main suspect in the abduction of journalist Keith Noyahr in 2008 and the leader of the shadowy military intelligence unit suspected to have been behind the murder of The Sunday Leader Editor, Lasantha Wickrematunge in 2009.

The Sri Lanka Working Journalist’s Association (SLWJA) in a statement issued under the hands of its president Duminda Sampath and General Secretary Frank De Zoysa said that his re-instatement as an active intelligence officer will spark fears about ongoing sensitive investigations relating to crimes against journalists and media institutions.

“We condemned the decision taken to restore Major Prabhath Bulathwatte who is the main suspect in the abduction of journalist Keith Noyahr in 2008 and the leader of the shadowy military intelligence unit suspected to have been behind the murder of The Sunday Leader Editor, Lasantha Wicrematunge in 2009. Army Commander Lt.General Mahesh Senanayake, mentioned about this during the television interview telecast last Saturday night”.

“Bulathwatte and his men are implicated in several of these cases. Also threat may receive to the officers and witnesses and their family members who are supporting to carry out the above investigations” the statement said.

The SLWJA expects that President and Government will take necessary steps to correct this mistake”, the statement said.

SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT MUST ACT TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS MINORITIES AGAINST VIOLENCE  – ICJ


15 May 2019/Bangkok, Thailand.

Sri Lanka Brief15/05/2019

 The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) today condemned a series of the acts of violence directed against the Muslim community in the aftermath of the Easter attacks on 21 April in Sri Lanka directed at churches and other places.

 In the most recent attacks on 13 May, at least one person was killed in anti-Muslim mob violence in Nattandiya.  In addition, various attacks have resulted in the looting and destruction of mosques, Muslim-owned businesses and houses in several parts of the island including Negombo, Chilaw, Kurunegala and Gampaha.

The ICJ called upon the State authorities to conductindependent, impartial and effective investigations into the attacks and bring all perpetrators to justice in line with international standards. Furthermore, the ICJ urges the Government of Sri Lanka to send a clear public message that acts of violence against any religious minorities are not tolerated.

“Attacks perpetrated against religious minorities are more likely to occur in a climate of impunity” said Fredrick Rawski, ICJ’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. “The fact that Sri Lanka has a history of serious violations of human rights of religious minorities makes it even more urgent that the Government act to safeguard the human rights of all persons and take immediate measures to protect members of religious minorities from further violence.”

Delayed action or inaction on the part of law enforcement authorities during and in the immediate aftermath of the attacks has further exacerbated the situation. Given the recurring patterns of mob violence against religious minorities in Sri Lanka, a handful of arrests will not suffice. It must be followed up by independent and impartial investigations and, where warranted, prosecutions as part of an effective preventive strategy to counter such collectively organized violence.

Under international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Sri Lanka is a party, States have a duty to protect freedom of religion, which includes persons from religious minorities against abuses committed against them by any person or group.

The Government of Sri Lanka must take appropriate security measures in response to the worst terror attack in recent years. However, it must ensure that the volatile situation is not made worse by inaction to prevent anti-Muslim violence and vigilantism. Moreover, the State must ensure that any counter-terrorism measure is adopted and implemented in line with its international human rights law obligations and does not explicitly or implicitly target a particular community.

WATCH THE HAPPENINGS AT ELECTIONS

IF ISLAMICS STAY WITH EXTREMISTS 

16 May 2019
Fortune smiles on Sri Lanka again. While corruption abounds the political class - luck holds for the people, maybe for their goodness, overcomes the impurities associated with the lust of politicians? How long will good fortune rain on this thrice blessed land: Will it last long amidst the foulness felled by politicians. 
Most of the Moors including the extremists voted for SLMC or UNP as the alternate force. The UNP is prepared to sit in the opposition and have sat for a while too long, unlike the SLMC that shifted sides with impunity; the photogenic leader of the SLMC has from time immemorial held a Cabinet Office. 
If the UNP does effect a joinder overtly or covertly with the SLMC or bring Rishad Bathiudeen, representing the extreme Muslims or his nominees, the UNP can expect to warm seats in the Opposition.
The UNP/CP/LSSP Muslim supporters: Can vote for such parties that stood for the unity of the people. Where does cart-wheeling Faiszer Musthapha stand, beginning his political life under Thondaman’s CWC? Let the people decide the fate of the unreliable democratically! 
Christian/Catholics in a back to a wall fight along with Buddhists in a new alignment, after the war, neither are likely to hurt churches. Fighting together they acquired goodwill without much blessings from their divided reverend Fathers/Brothers unlike the Buddhists, where most monks drove their young Turks to the battle front. 
Will Tamils desire to attack their own Christian brethren in their homesteads? Buddhists Christians and Catholics are out of the equation from attacks on churches. There is a denomination that could have ‘dunnit’? Explanation is not needed. There is a religious outfit that feels triumphant in the killing of innocent worshippers of another while engaged in prayer on a most holy day in the month of Ramazan. These barbaric tendencies are not shown in the four legged beast deemed unclean for consumption. 
SI’s local barbarians made an ill-timed, poorly undertaken, with locally assembled equipment, to cowardly attack churches while its flock was at service. Made a Muslim Minister quip these swords and knives are maintained in mosques to clean its environs. He was silent on detonators, small arms, pellets and hand grenades retained in places of prayer. At least a Muslim voice was heard. Most Ministers talk whimsically most times: However, the aforesaid words carry an element of truth beneath its surface. Such equipment is not sufficient to blow away our Forces that shattered the mighty terror outfit of the LTTE. Where is the SLMC in this melee? 
Desire to expose prematurely hatred by the IS on other denominations, saved the day for Sri Lanka. Where were our intelligence outfits prior to the happening of events though they have shown dexterity after the event in uncovering the loot. Subscribes to the theory, intelligence outfits were compelled to show loyalty to the advancement of the UNP mindful of their association with the Muslims, is a possibility? Did Muslims spill beans fast, once the conspirators were found by the security services. With Muslims money talks - nothing is beyond them against Muslims to safeguard their own security unlike the committed LTTE. 
Removing two officers, who slept over intelligence information handed earlier (Subsequently leaked to the Press), is not sufficient. 
An unknown Fernando on accompanying. 
Mrs Bandaranaike to astrologers, gained a reputation (Made her witty son Anura declare him as Amma’s ‘hocus-pocus’ man) thereafter served every administration just like SL Muslim Congress (SLMC), till MS elevated him to the highest position in his administration, sanctioned by the so-called wily Constitutional Council. Stupidity at its prime. 
Public has the right to know how a foreign information gathering ensemble garnered information from local sources while our intelligence services knew virtually nothing till the Moor men killed devotees in churches. One thing is for sure-these killer groups were deemed part of the anti- Gotabhaya Rajapaksa (GR) front-the prime Opposition contender at the Presidential Election. 
IS forces it is believed did not entertain doubts against the UNP. But event turned otherwise as it backfired against the UNP as they suffered the most, politically. 
Muslims increased their vote from 2% to 7% within a limited period without any family planning in the Eastern Province (While Tamils after Black July lost 2%); Where a poor man sires 15 children to over crowd election enumerators lists, receives cash and asset from unknown sources to supplement their overcrowded families: local Muslim tribesmen tried to use small arms against our security forces versed in mobile multi-barrels to over-run the LTTE, a community that rose from a niche just above our aboriginal Veddah to become trilingual educated giants and takes a lead in the English media and does bulk writing fostering purified thoughts of Allah, earns green eyes instead of rounds of applause, since it enhances our national pride. 
Muslim super rich has contributed to only two centers of education in Colombo (Zahira and Muslim Ladies) while Anglican, Buddhist, Catholic and Hindu philanthropists contributed lavishly to set up educational institutions throughout the country. All Moors should bow to the name of Bathiudeen Mohamed father of Muslim education, who set the tone in Gampola for up-lifting the education of under - privileged Muslim children. Other Muslims have lavishly contributed to commercial ventures to fatten themselves. 
Moors fight to get their kids, cheap to Royal/Ananda/Visakha/Anula under the area rule and have not succeeded due to the wisdom of the Supreme Court rulings and the intelligence of Chief Justice Sarath Silva in interpreting an order given by Mrs Bandaranaike in promising Christian denominational schools to keep to proportions in the new intakes after the takeover, to the same proportion at the same levels as before take over. 
Ananda and Visakha made use of it with respective 96% and 95% Buddhists on the school rolls at the time of the takeover. As counsel for Visakha/Ananda the Supreme Court held with us against a Muslim doctor. 
After admission of bare 2% of Muslims students these Islamic kids (Unlike students of other denominations) clash with school authorities as the boys demand the exclusive right to grow beards in State schools - (An infection that will grow with other denominations asking for equal right to grow beards). Early seeds of hatred at a tender age are sown by Muslim parents that send their kids for confrontation with other denominations by taking the issue to courts. 
Strategically better timed, with the use of more sophisticated fire power in a craftily planned surprise operation might have made our forces run while knowing the outlook of most local men would queues to receive circumscribing; if events turned otherwise, due to their inbuilt timidity and the greed to make a fast buck. 
With the background of Sunni-Shiite clashes in the Islamic world, how possibly can a 7% population expect to run Sri Lanka with over 78% Sinhala population and feel smug after eradicating terrorism from the dreaded LTTE; rethink of the Shiite minority holding the Sunni majority in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. Local Islamists seem easy meat as most yap against their fellow conspirators after a few days in incarceration. 
The government caused mayhem by weeding out the most able intelligence officers especially Islamic officers - the very best - after having served the forces for generations with iron determination - like the Gurkhas - brought great fame to the forces with their gallant intelligence workouts and trilingual expertise against the LTTE. 
Present government in an unprofessional manner due to jealous elements within the forces, rid the best of officers of Buddhist, Christian and Muslim origins, whereas our forces have been loyal to the service they served and have shown itself as a well knit, multi cultural, multi ethnic units. Brave Tamil officers stood till near end of the war and their loyalties were never split and the finest in the intelligence outfits were the trilingual Islamists where they served the nation and under took the most onerous tasks. Don’t look upon Muslims as terrorists but one lady wore headgear while a DIG spoke on TV seated in an prominent place. DIG had to look the other way. Why was he tongue tied to state the obvious! 
GR appears to be the benefactor of the Islam outbursts. SLMC switches sides always preferring to stay with the winners, with enhanced ministerial positions. Personally named are a revolving lawyer, diplomat presently moving to the Opposition and a prominent female educationists, banded as fluctuating artists purely to gain prominence. 
GR appears strong at the expense of MR who is deemed the prime mover in bringing Rishad Bathiudeen, a universally disliked politician, to the forefront. MR realized his folly but was too slow to dump the unwanted. Rishad has incurred the wrath of the Sinhala voters even in hamlets like Mandanam Nuwara (In the past said to be covered in mist where damsels were selected for the royal harem for their fair skin; now dark as soot as the mid-day sun shines) more than the SLMC leader. 
They say in pithy Sinhala that GR can only destroy himself by attaching wrong personalities on his administrative list. He does have plenty of MR’s bad eggs, like a disliked Viyathmaga Specialists with a doubtful past and a small time trade unionist pretending to know too much on banking concepts. Few are still lodged in high positions and can destroy GR’s reputation before the elections begin unless the unwanted are weeded out speedily to give him a clean slate. Poor guy has a military thought process-civilians are a shrewder bunch. They have sure cheated him thus far. 
Travelling along the Dumbara Valley, the heartland of the UNP in the Central Province, with a strong Sinhala presence past Wattegama via Mattekelle to Hanguranketa (Main attraction being S.B. Dissanayake house covered with a virtual Great Wall away from public eye) Rikiligaskada (Where all roads meet and emerges as a commercial capital) blue and green supporters were not heard/seen. Sinhalese voters were divided around an 40-year artificial age barrier. 
Over 40 years feel they need a tough disciplinarian to emerge at the next election and are concerned of the welfare of their children and the under 40s were emphatic of the great war victory deeming the Moors are a chicken feed for a correct leadership. 
None mentioned the name of GR, support appears overwhelming for him, as they sought to pick the political leanings of the man [me] in a kiwi black cap. On the same tour in 2009 and 2015 before the general elections, UNP and MR supporters appeared visible among the village gentry but heard only of a coming man that can keep Muslims at bay. In Nuwara Eliya where Muslims purchased the best rooms are shown a closed door in hotels. None know who carries bombs in bags freighting other residents-especially the few remaining foreigners waiting to board flights. 
This may not translate to votes for GR among the canny Muslim people expect in the Eastern Province where Islamists are most scared of recent events and will prefer to go with the winner at the time of elections, as a security precaution. 
Can never assure the way Muslims will exercise their vote; but lists and tills sent to Muslim business houses will bring plenty of undeclared funds for GR. They will feel obliged to fill his exchequer mostly out of fear to cover their previous hostility. 
If troublesome Central Province show such tendencies, rest of the Provinces will fall easy for GR with the exception of the Kandy electorate (As Westernized as Colombo West); Rest will be a walk over for GR, provided his followers behave and talk sensibly. GR can only destroy himself by words, acts or at play as kid brother to his brother MR. Assert yourself GR and be your own man; as MR or RW has lost ground. 

Time to depoliticise politics! We are very much equal!

We were rudely awakened to a different facet of 21st century terrorism on 4/21 – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara 
logoThursday, 16 May 2019

Depoliticise politics – am I saying something of an oxymoron?! Today we are a society sadly in painful transition to a new normal after 4/21. How we react or rather act in these days may define the new normal – act wisely it has the power to position us at a stronger position than ever; act in haste and if reasoning was to be through emotions then the society sinking to an abyss would be very much on the cards.

4/21 was an event that witnessed losing so many innocent lives and affecting so many in so many different ways brought in by a number of educated well-to-do terrorists – another oxymoron!? The educated and well-to-do, a combination which we never associated with destructive self-consuming terrorism – so we thought till that morning and now we want to peer into a face and the way of interactions have changed.

If we have been conversant with the poor and uneducated and those with significant grudges against society as insurgents and terrorists, we were rudely awakened to a different facet of 21st century terrorism on 4/21. This appears to have shaken us in a way that surpasses much of what we experienced for three long decades.

Multiple chinks in our nation’s armour

The issues that we are facing today have shown multiple chinks in our nation’s armour. It is a fact that we badly let our guard down post 19 May 2009, first by ignoring the need to act to develop with a purpose – time was spent more in engaging in fun and seeking frolic and expecting tourism to take us to development perhaps supplemented by income from those who crave Ceylon Tea, and then later actually by thinking and acting in ways that had the principle of pleasing the outside as much more important.

At all times seeking power through politics was uppermost and it may be difficult to actually count the amount of seeds sown for potential bad harvests. Somewhat fortunately nature had been kind to us this year as this period for past three years, it had been nature that had a hand in spinning the economy to a low level.

Cyclone Fani keeping away from Sri Lanka with only some little damage did not compound the issues that we were facing and for the moment the coast is clear nature wise. What nature did not deliver unfortunately a few men took upon themselves.

When the nation needs advice and positive communications, our media tends to focus on political verbiage. Anyway that verbiage is showing no sign of abating too. For the media the bloodier is newsier and sadly the truth of this is just getting cemented every day. Yes you need to report events.

After indicating free Wi-Fi as a political promise even by balloons and come what may, people are not at all happy when their WhatsApp fails to connect suddenly. The imagination gets into the overdrive over trying to understand what’s up! The interpretations unfortunately are always done negatively and we fail to comprehend the ill effects of such collective thinking.

A smart media

A smart media that empowers with reason and logic perhaps with a touch of refined sense of humour is more important than one thinking of screaming headlines to prop up circulation or hearing. The habit of media to truncate comments to suit their story with scant disregard for responsible journalism too should be deplored. The users of social media exemplify the dangers of sophisticated tools in wrong hands. When curfew and destruction is the net result of a single Facebook post, it is time to think on how to bring sanity back.

The world is facing multiple kinds of ‘isms’ and one is left to wonder why today, with all this knowledge and abilities that we have. We most certainly have left the middle ages yet some of the practices and the tribal ways of thinking that are emerging appears to be in no way different to those periods though the weapons of destruction may be quite up to date.

Why cannot we understand the great similarities that we have and build on that rather than killing each other based on artificial social constructs and scheming politics, which only have one concept on top of their minds – power?

Why do we in Sri Lanka keep hearing that my blood is this colour and that colour yet it takes only a small prick to reveal the colour that we all share? Colour of politics sadly has ruined many a mind over seven decades. It is indeed time to depoliticise the way we work and think.

Race is a social construct

Recently a communication by an 8,000-strong science group consisting of geneticists came out stating that the concept of racial purity is scientifically meaningless. This largest society of geneticists has decided to take this stand to decry the distortion of ideas by racists of different types including the ruling class.

It is indeed disturbing to see that some dividing people by their abilities to digest milk as well – the supremacists in USA. Now an ability to develop supremacists in a country has been an emerging phenomenon. However, with so much scientific advances in the world, nothing can hide the fact that racism and bigotry are present and in many an instance rearing their heads strongly in quite an uglier fashion.

To science and very well explained by genetics, race is a social construct as science does not support the concept of race. There is probably little or no harm done when the social construct is used in activities that demand diversity and definitely there is pleasure in diversity. The danger is when ideas takes root in indicating that one race is superior, political ideologies of superiority, etc.

This statement coming from the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) and they were actually articulating with this message in response to unsettling internal practices taking place right within United States. Though in principle it is targeting their own system, there is certainly value in the communication to all of us as it is one based on science.

The message of the society is that as far as the scientist is concerned, the age-old concept of race is wrong and humans cannot be split into subcategories that would be biologically different from each other. Of course the reasoning stem from genetic intermixing that had resulted from constant migration, which have taken place throughout human history. The constant movement has resulted in blurring of genetic lines.

Extending this reasoning to a small land area north, south, east and west of Sri Lanka perhaps can be identified with a simple picture of non-uniqueness and essentially of similarity. What is perhaps most important to note is the statement that there is no genetics based support for one group to be superior to another. What the education, attitude and experience impart only can be the differentiator and such differences one can even find perhaps between twins!

I am reminded of a recent statement from Dr. Ben Carson (a famous neurosurgeon) about whom I even share with my first year students – a biographic sketch of him – how his almost illiterate mother ensured that the young Ben was kept away from TV but more with books. Now as an influential medical professional he stated, “We have been conditioned to think that only politicians can solve our problems. But at some point, maybe we will wake up and recognise that it was politicians who created our problems.” It must be indicated that Ben did run to be a presidential contender in USA but a closer engagement with the establishment must have given him this insight.

Next election more important than next generation?

If something changed in Sri Lanka post 4/21, we are witnessing a strong discontent with politicians of all colours. The establishment also has been shown with its true colours of inefficiency and even perhaps ineptness. If there was intelligent interpretation of intelligence rather than perfect filing in and writing a series of letters towards providing VIP protection instead of ensuring pre-emptive action on the information, we perhaps would not be in this situation that we are in today.

Even post event we were privy to be finger-pointing across aisles rather than a cohesive, focused approach to the newly-emerged threat. It is sad but a fact that in our context democracy has a strong fascination to votes and numbers matter over quality. While emotion rules over brain, irrational mythical power-related thinking is driving extremism. To the politician the next election appears to be sacrosanct over the next generation.

I dare say there is a need for more science at this juncture. We have shunned science for so long and politics broadly was never seriously interested in science for solutions. It has been a sad fact for 70 plus years since our independence. Across the Palk Strait we know it was different.

Jawaharlal Nehru immediately obtaining independence opted to have a Central Government portfolio for Scientific Research in independent India starting from 15 August 1947. As a politician, his embrace of science was 100%. We can only dream at this stage for such a situation.

Only perhaps a few understand the importance of science and technology at this darkest hour in our country. Heinze Pagel in ‘The Dream of Reason’ wrote that science cannot resolve moral conflicts, but it can help to more accurately frame the debates about these conflicts. Now considering and understanding social constructs we should be wiser to the underlying scientific message that we have. I have to conclude – Bring in science, keep the values, understand the oneness. We may beat what the terror dictated.

Anti-Muslim Riots And The Second Security Failure

A single day security lapses are good enough for the organized extremists to overturn a situation in a country. This is also what exactly happened on the Easter Sunday 
by Laksiri Fernando-2019-05-15
 
Sri Lanka has encountered a second security failure by allowing the unruly violent mobs to attack Muslim mosques and ordinary Muslim citizens particularly in the North Western Province. This should have been an ‘anticipated backlash’ to the Easter Carnage inflicted by the IS terrorists three weeks before. However neither the law enforcement agencies nor the political authorities have taken necessary precautions in preventing such an eventuality.
 
As a result, at least one person has been killed, over 20 others severely injured and many families have been displaced. The number of attacked and damaged mosques and houses/shops reported to be nearly 100. The most damaged undoubtedly is the country’s image; and the inter-religious and inter-ethnic relations/harmony of the society.
 
It appears that still there is no proper coordination between the political authorities and the law enforcement agencies. This is apart from the apparent lack of coordination between various security and law enforcement agencies themselves - the CID, police, armed forces etc.
 
From First to the Second
 
It is just within three weeks that the second security failure has taken place.
 
The first security failure was most horrendous when nine suicide bombers of extremist Islamic organizationsin the country (National ThowheethJamath or NTJ etc.), supported and instigated by the Islamic State (IS) and its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, were easily allowed to attack three Christian Churches and threeTourist Hotels on the Easter Sunday (4/21), irrespective of relevant authorities having all necessary information.
 
That was an unprovoked terrorist attack without recent connected incidents.
 
‘Neglect of security of the ordinary citizens’does appear to be the main cause for that security failure. Otherwise, the police had made all necessary arrangements to safeguard the security of all political VIPs from the government to the opposition.
 
Three weeks ago the main targets were the Christian Churches and their congregations. As a result, 258 persons were killed and nearly 500 of innocent people were injured. Out of the dead, there were 41 foreign tourists. It appears that the Christian Churches were particularly targeted on the instructions from the leaders of the Islamic State (IS), as part of their counter offensive to the real or imagined ‘Crusaders.’
 
‘The general failure of security and defence’ of course was another underlying reason as revealed by the failure of the police or the defence authorities to take appropriate action to protect or warn the Tourist Hotels about the terrorist threat. This is irrespective of the primary importance of tourism to the economy of the country. Even without the help of the police the hotels could have thwarted the terrorist attacks or protected their guests, if they were informed.
 
There are questions whether particularly the general failure of security had emerged as a result of too much of liberalization in the country. The general atmosphere of this neoliberalism undoubtedly allowed the security personnel and the police to relax and consider everything hunky-dory. Then there were other concerns that if they had acted against people of a particular community, whether that could go against them politically under the present government.
 
However, what links the first failure to the second fiasco probably is the general degeneration of security arrangements in the country, the prevalent prejudices among particularly the police against minority communities, and still lack of coordination between the police and the military even under the present emergency regulations.
 
Delay in Taking Action
 
The initial incident this time in Chilaw on 12 May (Sunday morning)was good enough for the police and the security agencies to take firm action, if they wanted, in preventing what happened thereafter in the whole area and beyond in the North Western (Wayamba) Province, by Monday (13 May).
That Sunday was undoubtedly a reminder of what happened especially in Negombo three weeks before on the Easter Sunday. Communities in Negombo and Chilaw are largely connected through religion and family affiliations. The trigger was a Facebook post by a Muslim businessman in Chilaw saying “1 day u will cry,” against a posting by a Sinhala businessman, apparently criticising the Muslim community.
 
This was taken as a threat by the Sinhala businessman and along with others, the Muslim business premises was surrounded violently. The police did intervene. But the intervention undoubtedly was not even. The Muslim businessman was arrested although the posting was a minor threat. Both of the culprits to the Facebook confrontation should have been arrested. But that was not the case for obvious police biases or fear of political victimization.
 
A police curfew was declared in the Chilaw municipal area immediately in the afternoon which was lifted the following morning. It is alleged that it was during the curfew hours that a mosque and some shops were attacked in the Chilaw town.
 
Considering the possible eruption of violence in potential other areas like Kurunegala, the curfew should have been imposed in those areas as well. Immediately after the Chilaw incidents, there had been clear movements and rallying of gangs in the Kurunegala town in motor bikesand vans. The army should have been deployed immediately without the incompetent and largely biased police trying to handle the situation themselves.
The Failures
 
When curfew was imposed in Kurunegala and five other police areas, it was almost Monday morning. It is alleged that it was during the curfew hours again that most of the mosques and Muslim houses in Kuliyapitiya, Bingiriya, Hettipola and Dummalasuriya were attacked and damaged. Apparently the security was tight in the Kurunegala town, but not in the localities.
 
When three suspects who were involved or planning attacks were arrested in Kurunegala on Sunday afternoon, the police had come under immense pressure. It is not clear how far those were political. However the culprits were released giving some ease for those who were further intending trouble making and hate attacks. That is what actually happened on Monday.
 
A single day security lapses are good enough for the organized extremists to overturn a situation in a country. This is also what exactly happened on the Easter Sunday.
 
It was only by Monday evening that island wide curfew was declared and the army was effectively brought into curtail the situation. The island wide curfew was imposed again on Tuesday night and hopefully the situation is now under control. There is evidence however that the army, like the police, also were lenient on the mobs,if not supporting them.
 
It is reported that 74 culprits have now been arrested including the leader of the MahaSohonBalakaya (Great Vampire Brigade), Amith Weerasinghe, and the leader of the SinhaleApi (We of the Sinhala Land), Dan Priyasad.These organizations should have been banned a long time ago. Those Sinhala extremist organizations were involved in previous attacks against the Muslim community although the present attacks can primarily be by the local extremists.
 
It is also unfortunate that the government took over three weeks to ban those terror related extremist Islamic organizations who were responsible for the Easter Carnage. The relevant gazette was issued only day before (13May).Of course there are certain procedures to follow, but the steps should have been quicker. These are some reasons why the people were restless and angry, allowing the extremists to capitalize.
 
Conclusion
 
Even if the initial Chilaw incidents were unavoidable, there was no room for the escalation of such events in other areas, if proper security measures were taken promptly. The army should have been called into service immediately. There can be risks if the army is involved continuously, but in my opinion these risks are minimal compared to what can happen without their intervention and the country going into continuous violence and chaos.
 
The reported incident/s (Colombo Telegraph) of at least one or two army personnel (or a contingent) assisting the mobs in Thummoderashould be fully investigated and otherwise the projected credibility of the present Army Commander would be diminished/destroyed.
 
Ensuring ‘security of civilians’and the ‘enforcement of law and order’should be blindfolded irrespective of religion, ethnicity, class, political affiliation or any other distinction. This should be our future goal in recruiting and training of the police and army personnel.
 
Apart from what I have said about (1) the degeneration of security arrangements under neo-liberalization, (2) the apparent prejudices among the police/army officers against the minority (Tamil, Muslim and Christian) communities, and (3) the general failure of security coordination between the political authorities and the security authorities, there are various other political interpretations given to the events and lapses. Those are not discussed here.
 
Most alarming however are the accusations and counter-accusations traded against each other by the government and the opposition politicians. Apart from the said accusations, what appears alarming are the unbridled emotions, sensationalism, prejudices, reliance on rumours and expressed hatred. It is apparent that there is something fundamentally wrong with the political culture and psyche of the people and the politicians alike in the country.

THE UNITED NATIONS IN SRI LANKA EXPRESSES ITS CONCERN ABOUT EMERGING INCIDENTS OF COMMUNAL VIOLENCE AND TENSION



Sri Lanka Brief15/05/2019

Statement by the United Nations in Sri Lanka on the prevailing situation in the country.


2019 May 14 (Colombo, Sri Lanka) – The United Nations in Sri Lanka is concerned about emerging incidents of communal violence and tension in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. The United Nations calls on the Government and the security forces to ensure that the situation does not escalate.

The United Nations welcomes the unequivocal condemnation expressed on many occasions by political, religious and other community leaders towards the hate-mongering and violence carried out by a few. As a country, Sri Lanka remains at a critical juncture where a unified rejection of hate is of paramount importance for sustaining peace.

The responsibility also lies with each citizen to ensure that they do not spread misinformation that would lead to insecurity or cause violence. Hateful words will cause greater disunity and fuel existing tensions and fears.

The United Nations in Sri Lanka also calls on the security establishment to ensure that interventions, under the State of Emergency are applied in a proportionate and non-discriminatory manner that will respect the rights of all communities and individuals while ensuring their security. The United Nations calls on the authorities to hold the perpetrators and inciters of violence to account.

Now is the time to come together and rebuild trust among communities, and this requires inclusive and unified approach from politicians, the security forces and community leaders. We must all work together to ensure the safety and rights of every Sri Lankan, regardless of ethnicity or religion.

Stopping Islamophobia

High security alert following the Easter Sunday bombings.
High security alert following the Easter Sunday bombings.

Ravi Ratnsabapathy-Wednesday, May 15, 2019

The senseless attacks on Easter Sunday shook the nation and sparked a wave of anti-Muslim hysteria that is in danger of going out of control. There is a tangled jumble of emotions and causes that need to be sifted through to understand the problem. The fears arise from:
  •  The entirely unexpected nature of the attack (there being previously no Muslim-Christian animosity).
  •  The unknown nature of the threat. Since ISIS is involved apprehension that local Muslims are enmeshed in a shadowy, global terror network, with unknown objectives. The alarm that further attacks could take place – but for which no local causes or solutions can be found. Unlike the LTTE which had clear objectives and targets, there seem to be so many unknowns with this threat that people don’t know how to deal with it.
  •  Inability to distinguish between the terrorist and an ordinary Muslim. Anyone with a long beard or with their head covered is seen as an extremist and therefore either a terrorist or a potential terrorist. Although Tamils faced similar suspicions they were less visible; with the Muslim’s panicky people are seeing “terrorists” on every street corner.
In addition, a lack of political leadership has lead to a breakdown in confidence in the government. There is the obvious bungling; failing to act on warnings that could have prevented the attacks. Then the absence of coherent, consistent and clear messages from the government that the situation is under control has left a vacuum which has become the perfect breeding ground for rumours and mischief.

Political advantage
Interested parties who seek to gain political advantage have cleverly exploited the situation by adding to the fears, spreading rumours of possible attacks, unfounded allegations against the Muslims and general messages of hate.
Irresponsible and sensationalist media reports on discoveries of knives or swords reinforce these suspicions, never mind that these are hardly the weapons of choice for mass murder.
The centre of the problem is, therefore, one of trust. People feel unable to trust the Muslim community who they view as a collective threat, neither can they trust the government to protect them from this threat.

These fears are completely unfounded but remain real in the popular imagination.

The Muslim community themselves have to deal with a different but equally complex set of emotions. The overwhelming majority of the Muslim community was as shocked and as horrified by the bombings as everyone else. Many are also filled with a lingering sense of guilt and shame that the terrorists came from their community. The innocent also finds it very hard to deal with the fact that they have come to be held responsible for something that they did not do and do not support. They are also fearful, unable to trust the government to protect them or their property.

Naturally, a tragedy on this scale will lead to a confused outpouring of passions. The government should be marshalling all these complex, sometimes conflicting emotions into one coherent response, drawing all citizens together against the common enemy.

In the absence, the mutual misunderstanding and fears are feeding into panicky response and counter-response that is breeding a spiral of mutual mistrust and hatred.

Post-independence era

Much of Sri Lanka’s post-independence era has been marred by cyclical violence that has followed the classic pattern of escalation described by theorists.

“Conflicts have a definite tendency to escalate, i.e., to become more intense and hostile, and to develop more issues, i.e., what the parties say the conflict is about. Therefore, escalating conflicts become more difficult to manage. The process of escalation feeds on fear and defensiveness. Threat leads to counterthreat, usually with higher stakes at each go-round. Selective and distorted perception justifies a competitive and cautious approach as opposed to a trusting and cooperative one….competition breeds competition….Each party believes in the evil intentions of the other and the inevitability of disagreement, and therefore take precautionary actions which signal mistrust and competitiveness (Blake, Shepard & Mouton, 1964). When the other party then responds with a counteraction, this is perceived as justifying the initial precautionary measure”. (Dr. Ronald Fisher)

Unless arrested forthwith, which demands firm leadership, we may be about to embark on yet another cycle. To prevent this, the first step is to reassure the public and second is to restore law and order.
Independent experts seem confident that the security forces have dismantled the IS network but the government needs to send a clear message that it has done so. This needs to come jointly from the government, the security establishment and supported by independent experts since the government is short on credibility. People need to be reassured that there is no further immediate threat. It is only then that tensions can be defused.

Second, the public need to be able to draw the distinction between the few hundred terrorists who were involved (with a couple of thousand supporters at most) from the millions who have done nothing and don’t want to be involved with it.

The Government, the security establishment and the Muslim community need to be seen to be working together to identify and isolate the rogue elements within the community. The Muslim community leaders are already cooperating but the effort must be visible and consistent. It must be seen as a joint effort by all communities to counter rogue elements. The fight is and needs to visibly between citizens and terrorists, not Sinhalese against Muslims. Given the tensions, in the short term avoiding the distinctions in dress (which the community leadership has endorsed) will be helpful.

Community leaders

The wider public needs to understand that the Muslims who follow the austere form of Islam are not any different from the evangelical Christians. Both place more emphasis on their respective holy books than the rituals and forms that characterise their mainstream cousins. Neither is inherently more dangerous than the other. It is just that the Muslim’s adopt a distinct style of dress that makes them easily identified. Fundamentalist churches have come under attack because they proselytize but their followers are indistinguishable from the rest of the population. The fundamentalist Muslims look odd, but they are not necessarily dangerous.

Common sense alone should tell us this. In over a quarter of a century that this form of Islam has been prevalent, we had a single attack, carried out by a handful of individuals who seem to have been radicalised overseas.

The Muslim community needs to redouble efforts to send a clear message that want none of this. Cool heads need to bring community leaders together and work out practical programmes to rebuild trust.

There have been sporadic outbursts of violence in several areas. Reports of vigilantes who have taken it upon themselves to check identities and police localities point to a breakdown in law and order that must be immediately arrested. A message of zero tolerance of vigilantism and mob rule must go forth. At the first sign of violence, curfews need to be swiftly imposed with riot police deployed if necessary. Police must be ordered to detain and if necessary, shoot anyone disturbing the peace.

In the long term, we need to bridge the social and cultural distance between the communities which must take place through education.

Anti - Muslim attacks question security coordination

16 May 2019
Tears in the eyes of the families mourning the loss of Easter Sunday terror victims had not dried up when Sri Lankans heard that another group of citizens- Muslims- had come under attack by angry mobs on Monday (May 13).  The mob attacks were reported mainly in Kuliyapitya and Minuwangoda areas. In a brutal retaliation over the involvement of the ISIS terrorists and a group of local extremist Muslims in the Easter attacks, the mobs created havoc in Minuwangoda where around 41 shops were vandalised. Apart from that 4 houses and four vehicles owned by Muslims along with  Minuwangoda Jumma Mosque were also destroyed. According to eyewitnesses, the mobs who arrived on motorbikes were armed with rods and swords. “They have not only vandalised our shops and houses, but also looted money,” villagers complained. Police arrested 23 people for inciting violence against Muslims. Yet, the affected people alleged that the authorities were doing little to disperse crowds when the mobs continued with the attacks going from village to village.
Lack of planning by security forces?
Intelligence sources at the scene of destruction, told the Dailymirrorthat the attacks could have been prevented if there was proper security coordination and if the commands were given to take action at the right place at the right time. Meanwhile, Muslim businessmen speaking to the Dailymirror claimed that they had informed the police to increase security in Minuwangoda area in fear of retaliation; which originally started in Chilaw on Sunday (May 12). Their pleas went unheeded as the authorities had allegedly turned a blind eye to their request until the attacks took place in Minuwangoda and Kuliyapitiya which ultimately made the authorities to send army buffels and commandos to the area. 
According to eyewitnesses, what is more distressing and questionable is that the attacks in certain areas had taken place while armed forces were in the vicinity. The co-owner of the most famous all-night eatery in the Minuwangoda town -- Fawz Hotel, T. I. Isham, blamed the police for failing to disperse the crowd. “The police were watching. They were doing little to disperse crowds,” he said.
Industry and Commerce Minister, Rishad Bathiudeen who made a visit to the Minuwangoda Jumma Mosque on Tuesday (May 14) and met with the villagers heavily criticised the forces for failing to prevent the attacks and pleaded with the Government to take the security issue seriously.
“Mobs attacked shops and the mosque in the presence of the armed forces and police. All what people expect from the army is the security for their lives. Those who attacked these innocent Muslims are similar to the terrorists who blew themselves up on Easter Day. How ridiculous is it to attack innocent families who survive on the income from their own small businesses in retaliation for the terror attacks carried out by the ISIS? Is this what they call humanity?” Bathiudeen asked.
Minister Rishad Bathiudeen visiting Minuwangoda Jumma Mosque on Tuesday
Those who attacked these innocent Muslims are similar to the terrorists who blew themselves up on Easter Day. Mobs attacked shops and the mosque in the presence of the armed forces and police 
- Minister Rishad Bathiudeen
What mobs couldn’t destroy 
The Fawz Hotel on Airport Road, dating back to 1970s, is known to be a ‘must visit’ for patrons travelling to and from the airport. The owners of the Fawz Hotel are the main contributors for annual Vesak pandals in Minuwangoda town as well. According to Isham, his shop had come under attack twice.
“After the first group of attackers arrived around 6.15 pm, MP Edward Gunasekara along with the police came to inspect the damages to our shop. It was minutes after they had left that the people who were watching, while the MP was talking to us, suddenly started attacking the shop. We had no option, but to run for our lives,” Isham described the incident. While the shops in Minuwangoda town, with banners of Muslim names including Mohideen and Fawz, had turned into ashes, shops with banners such as Nimalee and Jayanthi were seen unharmed. Among all the negative stories being reported on the communal harmony of Sri Lankans, the incident, where Isham and other employees at the Fawz Hotel were provided with shelter in a house, belonging to a Sinhala family show that however ugly racism raises its head, the core values of peace-loving Sri Lankans still exist.
“Until the attackers left the scene, a Sinhala family sheltered us, showing how deep our relationships between the communities have been over the past,” said Isham.
Everyone who is responsible for these attacks should stop using people’s lives to get their own political agendas and purposes fulfilled. All lives matter regardless of faith or race
- Rev. Fr Dudley Saparamadu
Flames of racism destroyed Sinhalese shops too
Chandima is the owner of Ekko – the largest textiles shop in Minuwangoda town. Owned by this Sinhala Buddhist lady, the shop employed Muslim workers as well. The mobs attacked the front door of Ekko, but did not set it on fire. Nevertheless, the shop was caught on fire. The fire damaged all the stocks prepared to be sold till August as the adjourning Muslim-owned shops were fuming fire. 
“The attackers are so stupid to attack shops and land the country’s economy in problems. The loss of my shop would be more than 20 million. The destruction could have been minimised, but the Fire Brigade came hours later than expected,” said Chandima.
Meanwhile, Islamophobic graffiti were found on the gate of a Muslim-owned pasta factory -- Diamonds -- which was reduced to ashes. Some parts of the factory were still on fire even when the  made a visit to the area on Tuesday.
Fifty-seven-year-old M.H.J.P.Perera has operated a glass shop in Burulapitiya for the past 10 years. His family is  Roman Catholic except his daughter who is married to a Muslim; which is why he now thinks their family business – the glass shop – was attacked by the mobs. “About twenty motorcycles were outside my shop. When they started attacking, I shouted saying ‘I am Sinhalese. Please do not attack.’ My pleas went unheeded as the mobs continued destroying my property,” he said.
Outsiders had the support of locals
The affected families firmly believe that the majority of the goons travelled from nearby areas to carry out the attacks, with the support of a few locals. Isham of the Fawz Hotel said that he noticed several familiar faces among the mob that attacked his shop. “Although everyone said the attackers were outsiders, I could recognise a group of men, those who had even eaten from our restaurant, leading the mob,” he said.
Isham has complained to the police regarding a suspected theft of money in the cashier, lockers of the shop and inside his jeep parked nearby. 
A Catholic priest taking photographs of Fawz Hotel, Minuwangoda which was attacked
“The CCTV shows them entering my shop and pulling out the DVR wire which disconnected the CCTV. About Rs. 85, 000 in the cashier and Rs. 200, 000 in the lockers has been stolen. About Rs.  300, 000 of foreign currency kept inside my jeep is missing too,” Isham said.

It was not even a month since Mohomed Nijabdeen from Galloluwa obtained a loan to buy a freezer and opened a meat shop adjoining his house. He is devastated as his only source of income was jeopardized. “I had just closed my chicken shop to finish fasting. My wife was serving us food when we heard shouts and noises. Our gates have been cut with swords. We didn’t go outside. My grandchildren stayed tethered to their mother for safety,” he said. 
When would this end? How should we end this?
Rev. Fr Dudley Saparamadu from Burulapitiya stressed that there is nothing logical about condemning innocent Muslims for the actions of a few. “Everyone who is responsible for these attacks should stop using people’s lives to get their own political agendas and purposes fulfilled. All lives matter regardless of faith or race,” he said. Muslims in Sri Lanka are now finding themselves in limbo, distancing themselves from the terrorist attacks, while bracing for attacks against their own communities. Since the goal of terrorists is to divide the country, it is incumbent on Sri Lankans of all faiths and backgrounds to frustrate that objective by standing united in the face of terror.
Experts opine that terrible things that have been done in Sri Lanka and many parts of the world in the names of religions or faiths were results of forces like greed, hatred and fear for which religious beliefs are themselves the best remedy. Unfortunately, religion is being used as the perfect immunity to outbreaks of reasonableness in the public discourse. What did we learn from the war that lasted for nearly 30 years ? What did we learn from the Gintota, Kandy and Ampara communal clashes? What have we done to bring about policy reforms to these issues? 
Our world is fast succumbing to the activities of people who are staking a claim for the future as the next generation while being extremists and racists. Unfortunately for the Sri Lankan Muslim community – less than 10% of the population – this isn’t the first time they have dealt with such a hostile backlash. In fact, it will likely continue unless immediate action is taken. 
Pix by Pradeep Pathirana and Lahiru Harshana