Facebook icon
Twitter icon
e-mail icon

New government, old BBS

The Buddhist nationalist Bodu Bala Sena, threatened to destroy a mosque in Kuragala, in order to stop “these infidel Muslims” from running riot.

Speaking to media on Thursday, the general secretary of the BBS, Galagodaaththe Gnanasara said the organisation would invade Kuragala and dismantle the mosque “brick by brick”, claiming a Buddhist monastery existed at the site since before 200 BC.

The monk also said there was a high probability of the northern and eastern provinces being merged, resulting in the division of the country, with the support of India’s RAW and the West.

“This is what the West and the United States of America wants. The National Shoora Council was allowed to use the Independence Square on 4 February [Independence Day]. The Kurugla Monastery dating back even before 2nd century BC is a national treasure. We will not allow these infidel Muslims to run riot in Kuragala. The last two years of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa created the environment for Al-Qaida and jihad to thrive,” he charged.

The organisation meanwhile said it would file a lawsuit against Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader and minister in the new government, Rauff Hakeem.

Commending the government for proscribing Al Qaeda and the Taliban, the BBS said the ban meant that other organisations and individuals aiding them would also be looked into.

BBS CEO Dr Dilanthe Withanage said the National Shoora Council has been given unnecessary privileges and called for an investigation into its activities.

"We thank Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera and Leader of the House, Lakshman Kiriella for this. The government has acknowledged the truth and depth of what we have been talking about since 2013 for which we were labelled racists and extremists inciting religious tensions, challenging religious freedoms and discriminating against minorities. MPs and political leaders are ignorant about this issue. We must protect moderate, traditional Muslims from this scourge," he said.

"Hakeem filed a 50-page charge sheet in Geneva against Sinhalese organistions for alleged problems faced by Muslims including the fact that General Secretary of the Jathika Hela Urumaya, Patali Champika Ranawaka had published a book about the dangers of Al-Qaeda and jihad."

The BBS also called for the niqab to be banned.

"It must be banned in public places and on public transport as it is a danger to national security since one can conceal weapons and materials underneath. Muslim terrorists are also engaged in drugs and weapons smuggling and human trafficking," he said.

Sri Lankan monks to launch party to protect Buddhist culture from ‘minority threat’ (20 January 2015)

BBS accuses Maithri of allowing TNA to spread 'extremism' (30 December 2014)

We need your support

Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.

Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view

We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.

For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.