Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has met with senior leaders of the Buddhist clergy on Friday, reported Colombo Page.
Rajapaksa is said to have discussed inter-religious reconciliation with representatives of the Bodu Bala Sena, Sinhala Ravaya, and monks of the Siyam, Ramanna and Amarapura Nikayas.
The Defence Secretary is reported to have had similar discussions with Muslim groups last week.
According to Colombo Page, Rajapaksa said it was “pathetic” to allow religious and communal riots to occur at a time when the government is establishing lasting peace and reconciliation in the country, and dismissed links between him and the BBS, saying that the claims were made by those who tried to satisfy “international elements”.