Buddhism foremost but other religions respected: SLMC

2 November 2017 05:24 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauf Hakeem said yesterday they were not against giving priority to Buddhism in the new Constitution but also highlighted the need to include provisions where other religions are treated with dignity and respect.

"We are not against giving priority to Buddhism but provisions should be included in the constitution to ensure other religions are respected as well and include a ban to differentiate other religions," he said.

Speaking during the debate in the constitutional assembly, he said some people were creating fear among the people about unitary state, the place given to Buddhism, amalgamation of the North and East and a federal State.

"The Sri Lanka Bar Association (BASL) had raised several questions, including the unitary character of the State in the future. I am surprised to hear that a professional organisation like the BASL was posing such questions when it was clearly mentioned in the proposals. I suspect they were acting as a cat's paw to create a wrong opinion among the people," he said.

He said the amalgamation of the North and East was just an alternative proposal of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and added that it does not mean that the proposals highlighted the need to do so.

"The TNA has a right to make such a proposal. We have discussed the matter with the TNA. But Tamil leaders have said that they would not do so without seeking the opinion of the people in the East," he said. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 14

SL Thursday, 02 November 2017 06:38 AM

yeah we saw the respect in Gampola yesterday when "Katina Perahara" of a near by temple is stoned by your brothers in Gampla town .

Scooby Doo Thursday, 02 November 2017 09:22 AM

LOL. Now International community knows well about Budhism. Dont try to put the hat on some others.

Arnold Friday, 03 November 2017 04:33 PM

It was done by 2 kids playing with pebbles!! If it was a real planned stoning incident, why wasnt the police informed??

Yeti Thursday, 02 November 2017 07:01 AM

Goes without saying!

Sirimal Thursday, 02 November 2017 07:31 AM

Priority to Buddhism in the new Constitution - will be only in paper once powerful 9 governments established.

nick Thursday, 02 November 2017 07:46 AM

I do believe this is somehow gives a superiority to Buddhism which will end up in a ethnic clash why not follow the Singaporean style of constitution to make thing better for Sri Lanka instead politician trying to cement their place in the parliament for the next election ultimately our future generation will suffer when these guys make wrong choices & go via DM Android App

Banda Thursday, 02 November 2017 08:00 AM

At least 109 verses are there in the Koran that speaks of open ended violence or war with nonbelievers (non-Muslims).

Arnold Friday, 03 November 2017 04:35 PM

Any book of law read out of context would be violent.

KT Thursday, 02 November 2017 09:06 AM

As a Jaffna Hindu Vellalah Tamil,I have more in common with the Cultured Buddhist Sinhalese than with the Tamils of Batticalo or Trincomale.We don't want to join with the East.

asoka Thursday, 02 November 2017 09:48 AM

Sri Lanka government should declare, Buddhism is State Religion same as in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Butan, Nepal and Japan

ANTON Thursday, 02 November 2017 09:53 AM

KOHOMADA MAGEY TIKIRI MOLE ....... ?

ceylon Thursday, 02 November 2017 10:14 AM

respect all religions.all riligions are good for people if practice.government dont practice any religion.state is against religions by not practice. via DM Android App

ceylon Thursday, 02 November 2017 10:16 AM

government has 200000 militaryits duty is kill people when government order them.sogovernment is against buddhism. via DM Android App

Get Lost Thursday, 02 November 2017 10:31 AM

this is kind of self fish guy who always wants to save his ass should be defeated by the Muslim community

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Buddhism foremost but other religions respected: SLMC

Comments - 14

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