Woman held for anti state act

25 March 2010 11:47 am - 32 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Gandhya Senanayake

A Sri Lanka national who is a resident of Bahrain, has been held under detention orders pending further investigations over suspicions she was allegedly involved in anti state activities, police spokesman SP Preshantha Jayakody told Daily Mirror online.

The police spokesman however did not have further details on the case. When contacted the Mirihana police confirmed that the lady was being held at their police station.

A Bahrain daily reported yesterday that the lady had been arrested after she had converted to Islam and published two books against Buddhism. The report claimed that the lady in question Mrs. S.M .Perera was arrested when she was about to dispatch two books she had written while in Sri Lanka regarding the teachings of Islam and Buddhism.

Relatives of the woman in Bahrain feared she may not be allowed to return to Bahrain as her residence permit expires on the 24th of March this year (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 32

Thursday, 25 March 2010 05:46 PM

A Bahrain daily reported yesterday that the lady had been arrested after she had converted to Islam and published two books against Buddhism.

Friday, 26 March 2010 07:49 PM

Both Prophet Mohammed and Lord Gautama Buddha preached the goodness of religion, for the betterment of mankind. So, I don't see any point in this lady trying to 'split hairs' on a personal issue like religion. This is a free country and each individual has the right to choose his religion, as he deems fit. Issues like this will only spoil the friendly relations we have always enjoyed, with the Sinhalese people. So we need to 'nip it in the bud,' by ignoring the issue. Let the lady write - who cares?

Friday, 26 March 2010 05:54 PM

We have a great relationship with the Sinhalese people. I, personally, have more Sinhalese friends than Muslims. Even during our schooldays we have heard about the bond beween Saradiel and Mammalay Marikkar. I do hope this foolish incident does nothing to damage the friendship we have with our Sinhalese brothers.

Friday, 26 March 2010 06:23 AM

I think the only people who should comment on this are those who have read her books. If not, don't comment as you do not have any real idea about what you are commenting on. All religions are equal in a democracy. If we are a civilized & democratic society, then we will look at this logically & not emotionally. Punishment must be handed out only if a crime has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Thursday, 25 March 2010 11:19 PM

As a Muslim I would like to condemn this lady, if she has published books against Buddhism or hurt the feelings of its community. I have many Buddhist friends and in Sri Lanka the Muslims and the Singhalese share a great bond. The last think I would want is for this unique relationship to be broken by published words that would hurt the feelings of the Buddhists. Long live the friendship between Singhalese and Muslims!

Thursday, 25 March 2010 11:03 PM

Another unwanted issue to isolate Sri Lanka from the Muslim world. GSP+ gone, and now, jobs in the ME in jeopardy ...

Thursday, 25 March 2010 10:43 PM

Conversion to any faith, of one's own choice, is an integral part of individual freedom, and also a human right, in any civilized and democratic society. Yet, having converted oneself to a different faith, to engage in slandering one's previous religion is clearly uncalled for behaviour, for reasons too obvious to enumerate. This is NOT to suggest that the Police action in this instance, is justified and legal.

Thursday, 25 March 2010 10:39 PM

She has NO RIGHT to write to about any religion. If she wants to convert to any religion, that's her choice. But, WRITING AGAINST THE religion she believed in before, is BLASPHEMY. NO ONE HAS A RIGHT TO INSULT ANY RELIGION!

Thursday, 25 March 2010 09:44 PM

A personal vendetta? Just because a person writes a book, does she have to be jailed?

Thursday, 25 March 2010 09:13 PM

What is this 'anti state act'? 'Freedom of thought and expression'? - The vital life-force of a democracy. We have, sadly, regressed into an era of witch-burning and inquisition. It is a dangerous thing to declare anyone who thinks differently, as being 'against the state.'

Thursday, 25 March 2010 09:03 PM

Thank you Mirihana Police ... good publicity. More people will start to read her books now.

Thursday, 25 March 2010 09:03 PM

I cannot understand this woman`s motivation. Maybe someone asked her to write these books for money?

Thursday, 25 March 2010 08:52 PM

Everyone has a right to choose their own religion!

Thursday, 25 March 2010 08:31 PM

The most civilized huh? ... That is why so many bodies are floating in the rivers ...

Thursday, 25 March 2010 06:53 PM

Was she a supporter of SF?

Thursday, 25 March 2010 06:20 PM

"Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule." - The Buddha.

Thursday, 25 March 2010 12:23 PM

See this is the problem with SL....Racism..she's is a muslim now and she sees the difference between the truth and the false. Her whole family has converted to Islam. Is it against the law to practice another religion cause you that is the right one? SL will always be an under developed country as long as this "Sinhalakama" attitude continues.

Thursday, 25 March 2010 05:44 PM

IF ONE UTTERS A WORD AGAINST ISLAM IN THE MIDDLE EAST ....THEY WILL HAVE YOU BEHEADED.....NOT IN SRI LANKA THOUGH ..

Thursday, 25 March 2010 05:42 PM

@Rishard..you say Islam does not permit slandering of any religion....but it is is exactly the opposite what's happening. i have been in the middle east for sometime, and there are so many books and tapes criticizing Buddhism and Christianity... but hardly make it out of the middle east..fortunately only Camels read them. this is one instance that one tried it outside.

Thursday, 25 March 2010 05:29 PM

if writing or talking against a religion is anti state activity then all the priests must be jailed isnt it???

Thursday, 25 March 2010 05:27 PM

whats the connection between anti state activity and a person alleged to be writing against Buddhism????

Thursday, 25 March 2010 04:06 PM

She should be punished ,may be a 10year jail sentence. No flogging please,We are a civilized nation.

Thursday, 25 March 2010 02:19 PM

Abuse any religious must be punish if you change your religion for financial benefit that is for you only ...!

Thursday, 25 March 2010 02:07 PM

WHAT A DEMOCRACY WE HAVE......

Thursday, 25 March 2010 02:05 PM

she was not anti state but a budhist convert to islam....

Thursday, 25 March 2010 01:00 PM

Islam does not permit the slandering of any religion. If she has written about 'Islam & Buddhism' I don't think there is anything wrong about it.

Thursday, 25 March 2010 12:57 PM

I read the books

She has not written any thing against Buddhism.

She has rather praised Buddha and said his teachings are matching with the teachings of Mohammed.

I don't think she has to be detained for this.

Thursday, 25 March 2010 12:47 PM

I don't think, the books are against Budhism but should be one that compares islamic teachings and Budhist teachings so that people can choose a best religion of their choice what they think right rather than following a religion which descented from and was followed by their ancestors. But, it is a serious CRIME if the book has malicious intention against budhism and its teachings so as to provoke our budhist brothers and hurt the minds of those who have chosen budhism as the right path. In that case,she should be punished asper law without personal revenge for converting to islam which teaches NOT to harm verbally or otherwise other reigions but tells to respect them always.Our appologies to the budhist brothers in case of any malicious acts by such unscruplous elements but we await more details about this.

Thursday, 25 March 2010 12:34 PM

NOW HOW MANY HAVE EVEN READ THIS BOOK.? IS THERE ANYTHING TO SLANDER BUDDHISM? OF LATE SOME SO CALLED BUDDHISTS WANT TO GET SOME RECOGNITION THROUGH SUCH MATTERS AS OTHERWISE NO ONE KNOWS THEIR EXISTENCE.

Thursday, 25 March 2010 12:32 PM

Taslima Nasreen Of Sri Lanka

Thursday, 25 March 2010 12:28 PM

Let there be freedom of expression.

Thursday, 25 March 2010 12:26 PM

what is the anti-state activity, as it involves in two religion the police has to be transparent to avoid clash.

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Woman held for anti state act

Comments - 32

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