Photograph: @AzzamAmeen
Sri Lanka’s president has apologised to a group of Sinhala extremist monks from Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), after police launched tear gas at a protest held by the organisation earlier on Monday.
The monks, who were seen posing with a racist Sri Lankan lion flag, were calling for the release of jailed BBS leader Galagodaatte Gnanasara.
An official statement from Maithripala Sirisena’s office said he “expressed apology over the inconvenience caused to the Buddhist monks due to the tear gas attack on the Bodu Bala Sena group who came the President’s office to handover a message today”.
“The President instructed to take immediate action to conduct an inquiry on this matter.”
The statement went on to say that Sirisena had “invited the delegation and engaged in a friendly conversation” with the demonstrators.
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