Politicians exploiting Kurundi issue to incite religious disharmony: Mujibur

SJB Deputy General Secretary Mujibur Rahman 

• Claims ‘bankrupt’ politicians are inciting religious conflicts to consolidate power 
• Recalls past incidents when Rajapaksas used race and religion to return to power 
• Raises concerns if recent incidents are being manipulated by party with vested interests 
• Asks people to be vigilant of politicians attempting to play divisive politics

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Deputy General Secretary Mujibur Rahman yesterday accused ‘bankrupt’ politicians of attempting to consolidate their power by reigniting ethnic and communal tensions in the country. 

“They are attempting to use the Kurundi Vihara issue and a land dispute in Batticaloa to stoke racial and religious disharmony,” he alleged. 

Listing out recent incidents of concern including a statement by Government MP Wajira Abeywardana of a possible terror attack and the siege on the residence of MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalan in Colombo by a group of Bhikkus, Rahman said it is evident these are not incidents taking place in isolation. 

“The ruling classes and the Government have driven this country into a crisis. The people are awaiting their turn to voice their dissent against the Government that destroyed and bankrupt this country. The rulers who have realised this are now attempting to create religious and racial tensions in the country to consolidate their power,” he said. 

He alleged that the Rajapaksa clan employed subjects like national security and extremism to fuel divisions and animosity among communities, ultimately aiding their return to power in 2019 after facing rejection from the public in 2015.

“But they lost their grip on power in merely two and a half years. Now they have joined hands with Mr. Wickremesinghe and are attempting to return to power. He has become their protector as in the past. Both parties are now attempting to use each other to stay in power as neither group has a mandate,” he alleged. 

“Hence, we hold legitimate concerns about the possibility of some party being behind the events that transpired over the past two weeks as racism is often the last resort of bankrupt politicians,” he added. Rahman appealed to the citizens of Sri Lanka to grasp the current situation and avoid falling into the trap of divisive politics, which could lead the country towards peril. He urged people to remain watchful and prevent such politicians from causing further harm to Sri Lanka.