BBS back to old habits, Muslim Council writes to IGP

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has been accused of going back to its old habits of making hate speeches against the Muslim community.

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka has written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara saying BBS General Secretary the Venerable Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thero had threatened a repeat of the Aluthgama violence against the Muslim community, during a speech he made in Mahiyangana on 23 June.

President of the Muslim Council N.M. Ameen said in the letter that the Venerable Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thero had also threatened the police in his speech.

Together with the letter to the IGP, Ameen also enclosed a DVD containing the speech made by Gnanasara Thero in Mahiyangana.

“As you are aware, two years ago on the 15th of June 2014, Ven. Gnanasara Threo incited the people of the Kalutara District to cause violence, death and destruction to the Muslims of Aluthgama and Beruwela. The rioting caused the death of two persons, destroyed houses and property and inflicted damage to businesses worth billions of rupees. The repeated calls by the Muslim community for a commission of inquiry and punishment for the perpetrators have fallen on deaf ears. Two years on, Ven. Gnanasara Thero is proudly claiming that he will repeat Aluthgama in Mahiyangana,” Ameen said in the letter.

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka called on the IGP to immediately initiate an inquiry against the stated threat and take necessary police action against the provocation of violence.

The Muslim Council also called on the IGP to conduct an inquiry into the Aluthgama riots against the Muslims and take necessary police action against the perpetrators. (Colombo Gazette)