‘Govt will not support racial or religious disharmony’

Sandasen Marasinghe and Irangika Range

Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday stated that the government’s priority is to protect the hard-earned peace after defeating the 30 years terrorism so that government would not support any activity that would propagate racial or religious disharmony.

He made this observation yesterday in response to a special statement made by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday under Standing Order 23(2).

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva further stated that President Mahinda Rajapaksa often discusses with religious leaders politicians and get instructions to promote racial and religious harmony. He also stated that the President has also instructed the Police and the political leadership in the country to be vigilant to prevent racial or religious disharmony.

He also stated certain groups attempt ignite the flames of racial and religious disharmony to defame and topple President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government but this attempt will be a failure. They also attempt conspire to separate the Muslims who support the government immensely by spreading rumours.

He stated that the government hopes the UNP too by understanding the danger of spreading such rumours would switch on gentleman politics.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva stated that the government denies the statement by Ranil Wickremesinghe that 10 mosques have been attacked recently. He stated that it was a distortion of facts with regard to protests took place at several places.

He also challenged the Opposition Leader to submit facts to the Parliament to prove his statement. He said that the IGP’s report has it that no religious place has been damaged.

He added that according to the IGP’s report several minor incidents have taken place in relation to Halal food in Vanduramba, Nawagamuwa, Aluthgama, Badulla, Paiyagala and Kurunegala.

He added that the Police has taken steps to arrest suspects and to mediate between the related parties. He added that at such incidents the authorities have to act patiently and far-sightedly to prevent such incidents spreading to other areas.

He added, if stern actions were not taken the conflicts between the parties involved could aggravated. Minister further stated that various steps have been taken by Police to prevent recurrence of such incidents in line with the instructions given by the President to the IGP.

He stated that police has taken measures to set up 104 Religious Committees in all the 43 police divisions. The All Religious Committees include Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Catholic priests.

He added that the officers have been instructed to not to favour any religious group when engaged in protest. He also added that the police has requested the active members and President of Bodubalasena Organization to support to maintain religious harmony.

Minister de Silva said that the statement made by Opposition Leader that the Sinhala population in 1947 was 63 percent and it has been increased to 75 percent by now is very important.

He said the Opposition Leader’s statement that said the UNP will voice its concerns first if the Sinhala population is getting reduced is made for petty political advantage. The Minister said it was because his allegation was that the government was arousing racism or it does not take measures against the racists.

The Minister further stated that there has been no government such as this that has worked to promote racial and religious harmony. He stated that the President with a special faith has feed the Muslim community from the vicious clutches of the LTTE terrorists.

He added that the displaced people in Muttur were resettled within days of Mavil Aru operation. He added that historic allocation was made to develop Islamic religious places. Steps were token to appoint Mavulavis to teach Islam and Arabic in Islam schools.

He added that the government renovates the Islamic religious places that were destroyed by the LTTE in Kaththankudi area. The Minister also stated that Sri Lanka is the only non Islamic country that has allowed to preach ‘Asan’ for five times in a government radio channel under the permission of the President.

He stated that the government has taken measures to construct 4-religious ‘places, a temple, kovil, church and a mosque under the instructions of the President to mark the defeat of 30 years terrorism. A replica of famous Al Aksha Mosque in Jerusalem will be setup in Kaththankudi at a cost of Rs. 87 million for the Islam devotees.

The minister further stated that the government expresses its displeasure on the statement made by Opposition Leader on the issuance of Halal certificate and All Ceylon Jammiathul Ulama.He said the All Ceylon Jammiathul Ulama played a good role at recent Geneva Summit to protect the unity in Sri Lanka.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva stated the Opposition Leader makes statements against the organization as it does not act as a cat’s paw of the Opposition. He added that issuance of Halal certificates in Sri Lanka is done by the All Ceylon Jammiathul Ulama. He added this that institution has not been accepted by the government or any government institution.

He added that there is no need to accept this institution. The Minister said any person has a right to accept or reject Halal products.

It would not be permitted to force anyone to buy or reject Halal products, he said.