Similar to how the United States nurtured Taliban, which later targeted strategic locations in New York, US Ambassador Michele J. Sison is nurturing the Sri Lankan Jihadist groups thus jeopardizing the security of not only Sri Lanka and the US but of the entire world, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.
“The US is repeating the mistakes it made in Afghanistan by distorting the Aluthgama incidents and very soon will suffer dire consequences. By nurturing and fostering militant Muslim groups against a democratically elected government instead of helping to hunt down the militant elements within the Muslim community, the US has only strengthened the global Taliban movement,” said the minister who is also the General Secretary of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU).
He said there was a conspiracy behind attempts at taking this matter to an international forum without resolving it at Pathirajagoda in Dharga Town where the incidents began.
“Jihadist groups and some Muslim politicians are attempting to internationalize this issue. The trouble broke out at Pathirajagoda which has a Sinhala majority. Muslim extremists are trying to show the world that Muslims are being prevented from living a peaceful life. We request the Muslims not to be misled by those who are trying to provoke them,” the minister said. “We, as the JHU is ready to help resolve this matter as we did in the past. People must get together and act against extremism which is raising its ugly head in our country.”
He said the authorities did not reveal the damage done to the Buddhists because it might have led to a more disastrous situation but Jihadist groups were having Hartal throughout the country making use of this opportunity.
The minister said the security forces had allowed these Muslim extremists to gather in their thousands but arrested the Buddhists who attended a gathering.
“The security forces allowed some 3,000 Muslims to gather in Aluthgama but disrupted the Aluthgama rally organized by the Buddhists. The law should be equal to everyone,” he said. (Ajith Siriwardana)
Minister Patali Champika accompanied by a group of JHU members on Thursday visited Pathirajagoda to check on the damage caused by the communal violence on Sunday. Pathirajagoda which has a majority Sinhala population is situated near Dharga Town in Aluthgama
Daily Mirror
ell Hakeem to leave govt if ashamed - JHU
Accusing UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe of attempting to become President with the Muslim people’s vote, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a coalition partner of the ruling UPFA government, today declared that they would not allow that to happen at the next Presidential Election.
If the Opposition Leader is attempting to go forward with the help of external forces, we will not allow it, JHU General Secretary Champika Ranawaka said.
He claimed that even UNP parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella is of the same opinion.
On the recent incidents of religious clashes in Aluthgama and Beruwala areas, the Minister alleged that Islamic groups known as ‘Jihad’ were behind the incidents and proclaimed that Hartals observed in various parts over the incidents would not deter the government, only strengthen it.
On the comments made by SLMC leader and Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem following the clashes, Ranawaka stated that if Rauf Hakeem is ashamed of staying with the government after the incidents “tell him to leave.”
The Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) told reporters following last week’s clashes that he is “utterly ashamed” for not being able to even provide the minimum security for the Muslim people as the country’s Justice Minister.
The Minister and his party, a constituent of the ruling UPFA, are yet to decide on its future with the government.
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