Religions for Responsible Governance calls for restraint

The Religious for Responsible Governance (RRG) in a statement yesterday said it was deeply worried about the spread of anti-Muslim communal violence in some parts of the country over the past few days. Following is the full statement issued by signatories Ven. Galkande Dhammanande Thero, Swami Gunatitananda Saraswati, Ash-Sheikh Faleel, and Bishop Duleep de Chickera:

We emphatically condemn these acts of violence. We are a civilised people, capable of restraint and patience under provocation. We believe that violence against anyone is violence against all – and that it will only perpetuate terror, rather than annihilate it.

We have already condemned the acts of terror and destruction perpetrated on Easter Sunday and urged to leave it to the Police and the armed forces to investigate these acts. We should have trust and faith in the security authorities to maintain law and order, and to provide security for all our people.

There is therefore no need for members of the general public to take the law into their hands and inflict harm on others.

As leaders of all four religions we appeal to all sections of our people to refrain from inciting violence and engaging in harmful acts against anyone. As we approach the thrice sacred day of Vesak, venerated by Buddhists all over the world and respected by all other world religions, we are to heed the teachings of the Lord Buddha on non- violence, non-anger and loving kindness with compassion for all living beings. As the Buddha repeatedly emphasised, we need to be sensitive that every living being feels the same physical pain and emotional hurt that we do.

Let us reflect on what all our religions leaders have taught so that we are able to create a peaceful, stable and secure country for everyone.