Muslims should reconstruct damaged statues: Marrikar

Friday, 28 December 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Seven suspects arrested over incident, CID to conduct further investigations, area calm

UNP MP S.M. Marikkar yesterday called on the Muslim community in Sri Lanka to take the lead role in reconstructing Buddha statues that were vandalised in Mawanella to promote reconciliation between the Sinhala and Muslim communities.

UNP MP S.M. Marikkar

“If I get a chance to repair the Buddha statues, I am happy to do so because I am a person who believes in reconciliation and harmony among all communities,” MP Marikkar told reporters during a press conference held at Temple Trees.

He noted immediate action needed to be taken against those who were involved in the Mawanella incident to prevent further incidents in the area and other parts of the country.

“I have requested IGP Pujith Jayasundara to conduct an investigation into hate speech that is being spread via social media and arrest those who are behind it,” he added. He said an investigation would also need to be carried out to look into whether the vandalism was pre-planned to damage the reputation of the government to gain political advantages.

Marikkar claimed certain groups were trying to damage his reputation by spreading false information about him via social media. “I have always been a clean politician. Therefore I suspect certain parties are trying to label me as a racist to damage my name,” he added.

Meanwhile, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said seven suspects had been arrested over the incident of vandalising Buddha statues and six of them were remanded till 2 January by Mawanella Magistrate court while the remaining suspect would be produced before Mawanella Magistrate today.

Police are expected to arrest two more suspects believed to be involved in the incident of vandalising Buddha statues.

“The IGP has instructed to deploy a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team to investigate the incident.”

SP Gunasekara also said the situation in the areas was calm and both Sinhala and Muslim community in the area had supported the arrest of the suspects. (NS)