Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa told The Island that the army will be carrying out rebuilding work in Aluthgama and other towns affected by Sinhala mob violence.
Rajapaksa said that the military would provide free labour while the government would cover other costs.
"The president has issued the necessary instructions before leaving for the Maldives,’ the defence secretary said, adding that the government would take all measures to prevent recurrence of communal violence.
“We are maintaining a substantial security presence in areas ravaged by recent violence. Security forces are ready to face any eventuality in any part of the country."
The government announced yesterday that it would give the army Rs150mn to carry out the repair work.
Rajapaksa added that the statements issued by foreign governments, as well as other organisations after the attacks, was evidence that there was an attempt to “undermine post-war stability” and that racial violence would strengthen the hands of those “conspirators” who had been pushing for a war crimes probe, the paper reported.
The defence secretary denied that the Bodu Bala Sena had government support, questioning why the government would support violence before the national elections.
"Give me just one reason why we should cause chaos as the country is heading for national elections. Having won every election, except the first Northern Provincial Council polls last September, there is absolutely no reason for the government to dig its own grave. Give me one reason why the government wants to antagonize its coalition partners," he said.
Rajapaksa also criticised those “disruptive elements” who took to social media to report on the violence, adding that “unfortunately” some Sinhalese, in addition to Muslims, contributed to the “spreading of lies”.
The riots against Muslims started last week after a rally by the Bodu Bala Sena in Aluthgama ended up with Muslim homes and businesses attacked by Sinhala mobs in several towns in southern Sri Lanka, leaving 3 Muslims and a Tamil dead.
See our earlier posts:
Tamil groups condemn attacks against Muslims, call for justice
Muslims in Sri Lanka call on UN to investigate ongoing rights abuses
Over 1,000 Muslim-owned shops close in Colombo to protest attacks
Hundreds protest in Tamil Nadu against Sinhala mob attack on Muslims
Give me a Muslim girl to marry, for the sake of national unity – Minister Mervyn Silva
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