Mangala condemns attack on Rohingyas

27 September 2017 08:30 pm - 50 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera today condemned the attack against the Rohingya refugees by a group of protesters in Mt. Lavinia on Tuesday.

In a video statement, the minister said he condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms.

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack against the Rohingya refugees who were under the care of the UNHRC in Mt. Lavinia by a group of 'thugs in robes'. In fact, I condemn these actions not only as the Minister in charge of Media but also condemn as a Buddhist, a Buddhist who is very proud the fact that Buddhism is a religion of non-violence and compassion,” he said.

He said the group of refugees, 30 of them from Myanmar, were rescued at sea by the Sri Lankan Navy in April this year and they were under the care of the UNHRC waiting to be resettled elsewhere in the US or Canada.

“In fact this is not the first time Sri Lanka has given temporarily shelter to such refugees. Way back in March 2008, the Navy rescued survivors of a boat after they were found adrift in the high seas. They were kept here until 2012 the year they were resettled in the US,” he said.

The minister said in a separate incident in 2013, the navy rescued two boat loads of Rohingya survivors from a shipwreck in the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka.

Thirty two of these refugees were kept under the care of the UNHRC until they were settled in the US and Canada, he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

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Comments - 50

BUSHEL Wednesday, 27 September 2017 08:44 PM

TALK ONLY.

Yehiya Thursday, 28 September 2017 08:39 AM

Foreign minister in deep sleep. Still mangala is acting.

Dr. Kanishka Dissanayake Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:47 AM

Don't say that Mr. Mangala is not a easy man, when he says something he will do it.

Dilan Wednesday, 27 September 2017 08:53 PM

These monks n their thugs must be thinking if they also can get asylum in Canada n US with the rohingyas

Wise Donkey Thursday, 28 September 2017 11:52 AM

In sudda Sinhala they call this as 'Garangi maranawa'. Showiong chandikama to unarmed women and children in misery. the enlightened leader would have never approved this. Shame for those who wear the robe.

Angel Wednesday, 27 September 2017 09:11 PM

Those involved are very clear in the videos of the incident. Would love to see justice served. Donning robes don't give them the power to do as they wish, create violence and break into private property. They should be dis robed for going against the teachings of their religion This Buddha Sasana ministry should look into this. They are a shame and insult to Buddhism and the country.

Sri Lankan Thursday, 28 September 2017 12:42 AM

Should be circumcised and the game over.

Bindu Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:30 AM

Sorry, we are unaware whether there is a Buddha sasana ministry in SL. But we know there are few Mahanaayakas who are not concerned about Sanga discipline.Bandula Gunawardena seems to have a good command over monks.

Thanos Wednesday, 27 September 2017 09:18 PM

Well said!

V. Victor Apphumamy Thursday, 28 September 2017 11:03 AM

Make your recommendation to the President to appoint SF as the Chief of CID and he will wipe out these acts backed by Mahinda in due course.

P.M. Leelaratne (Lawyer) Thursday, 28 September 2017 11:05 AM

Mr. Mangala before the next elections, see that MR's family members along with WW, Gomampilla are sent behind bars, other-wise it is going to be very danger.

Nevil Bandara (Journalist) Thursday, 28 September 2017 11:09 AM

Well said, but now need immediate action Sir. I will give one true clue, MR, WW and Gam'pilla are the people organized this nasty act.

Lokka Wednesday, 27 September 2017 09:38 PM

While I pity the hapless Rohingya refugees, the Govt should have explained to the nation of the true situation re these refugees to the country in time and immediately before such unfortunate incident took place. Govt. should have been aware that the Sinhalese are at this particular period feel threatened due to various factors including foreign interference in the affairs of this country. However I do not condone the attack on these refugees.

Fairose Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:03 AM

Though it appears like condoning the barbaric action. Man becomes Human only when he empathise the feeling of others until then he is animal like cats and dogs.

malik Thursday, 28 September 2017 11:43 AM

Sinhalese feel threatened, only the corrupt ones and those who live and work in other peoples countries.

dissapointed Wednesday, 27 September 2017 09:40 PM

jail these criminals who instigate violence. curse to our country.

Kadupol Jothywansa Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:50 AM

Behind this scene - Mahinda's paid henchmen are there to create disturbance and topple the Govt., hence first Namal, Weerawansa, Gomampilla should be arrested.

Jonson Wednesday, 27 September 2017 10:51 PM

Sri Lanka government condemn publicly the behaviour of the unruly crowd on those refugees but reluctant to take action on them this is not a good quality of a good governs. via DM Android App

Bindu Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:42 AM

In a country like SL with fools as its majority population the Govt.should keep people aware of any big proposal / policy before implementing it.

Prabath Wednesday, 27 September 2017 10:55 PM

Mr. Minister If you have a backbone, please condemn the attacks on Buddhists in Myanmar. And condemn the muslim activities against reconstructions of Manikkamdu Buddhist temple.

Thomas Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:12 AM

Myanmar is a Buddhist majority country, therefore your suggestion does not apply

GH Wednesday, 27 September 2017 11:11 PM

Worse than MR regime!

Bubble Banda Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:51 AM

Its planned by MR, Gotta and Basil, what are you talking.

D,K,M Hinni Appuhamy Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:54 AM

Oh No... out of the recent "Hat collection" - Mahinda had given 60% to these rowdy gang to disturb the country and create a riot, this is the reality.

H.R. Wickremanayake Thursday, 28 September 2017 11:06 AM

Hay, all these acts are committed by MR, don't you know.

Neo Wednesday, 27 September 2017 11:32 PM

The root cause of all these problems is the dishonestly of the government. The government went on record saying that there were no Rohinya refugees in Sri Lanka and here we go.

Killa Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:20 AM

There no refugees in SL, these are on;y waiting to be resettled in USA

fazli Wednesday, 27 September 2017 11:48 PM

This was not the first incident of this nature. Politicians and Police are the big jokers of this country. We must respect the international law and treaties. How many Sinhalese living in the west on asylum. If these refugees are terrorist who are these saffron robe thugs called?

nick Thursday, 28 September 2017 01:42 AM

he seems & sounds like a proper leader where as president & pm is in back foot on this issue worrying that they will loose the majority of the votes which MR did the same & ended up as a mp ultimately maybe we are heading for a new leader via DM Android App

DG Thursday, 28 September 2017 08:26 AM

Government and Minister had failed to bring these information in advance for the public to know. Useless giving such details after situation occurred. As a senior citizen was unaware of presence of these refugees in a residential area, they should have been kept away in safe place.

Piyal de Silva Thursday, 28 September 2017 08:26 AM

Also we still remember that you going to do Gangaramaya during Chandrika government.

Park Thursday, 28 September 2017 08:28 AM

It is sad to note that Police did not take a single person into custody for trying to enforce vigilante justice. Above all Sagala Ratnayake Minister has not uttered a word on this. Its time Sagala and IGP resign their positions.

surasena Thursday, 28 September 2017 08:46 AM

What the law enforcement authorities were doing, punish them all. Provide security for people regardless of their "anything".

Hari Mami Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:08 AM

Lawlessness is killing the country. It is caused by government having no backbone to tackle it. Watching the video, looked very scary. Reminded of the riots and ethnic killings on all sides.....

Aladeniya Kirimathaya Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:45 AM

You are correct, the Govt. has no back-bone to combat these nasty acts committed by Mahinda's thugs.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:19 AM

Please don't condemn this incident, it is the culture of the proud majority Sinhalese of this nation to attack minorities of any kind. This time, bad luck, they did not realize that this minority is an international issue and under the purview of the UN, so the repercussions will be definite, thus the clamoring to punish the cowards who were involved.

sach Monday, 02 October 2017 01:45 PM

and interestingly every minority flock and live amidst the Sinhalese who attack them.....while no one from a different culture cannot even go to N and E

Dr. A.C.B. Jayaweera Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:37 AM

You are 100% correct, these thugs in robes should be brought into justice and punished for their wrong doings.

Ilham; son of Iqbal Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:40 AM

Appreciate his stance on the incident but the government he represents should be questioned on the matter. I strongly believe it is the fault of the state and they should have implemented proper protocols when it comes to these kind of incidents, let it be rohingyas or parangiyas, damage is already done and now we need to look for preventive controls on avoiding such incidents happening in the future.And please lets not talk about SRI LANKAN POLICE... Good for nothing department in AshikLand.

Lal Piyal Mendis Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:40 AM

Well said Hon. Minister, we agree with you - we should not allow any acts of thuggery covering the robes should take place in Srilanka and these rowdies backed by Mahinda should be punished.

Lester Amaraweera Thursday, 28 September 2017 10:53 AM

Everyone knows that these criminal acts are done by MR to topple the Govt. but where is the action? No action at all.

Sambo Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:40 AM

The only minister who speaks out without fear. Truth is always bitter but not for the people who speaks straight forward.

Lalith Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:42 AM

Well said Hon, Minister, the essence of Buddha's teachings, is dealing with the suffering humanity faces -- suffering of a physical kind, or of a mental nature.These Rohingya refugees should be dwelt with passion, after all we are all humans, and have limited life in this world, so treat the Rohingya with love, as they have been traumatized and suffered beyond imagination, Let us have patience until they are repatriated to a different country

Joseph Thursday, 28 September 2017 11:45 AM

One day those refugees will also ask for a separate state.

cineha Thursday, 28 September 2017 01:29 PM

Mangala is a decent gentleman politician.......well said sir...

Jayson Thursday, 28 September 2017 02:10 PM

Well said Minister. But sadly this is the state of the country now. Monks act like thugs to persecute the already most persecuted people in the world. Doctors violate their responsibility to society by refusing to treat ill patients to pursue their own agenda.

ceylon Thursday, 28 September 2017 03:01 PM

condemns are useless and minister is guilty for saying it.take leagal actions against these criminals who broken law. via DM Android App

Hautaum Thursday, 28 September 2017 04:33 PM

brave words, this incident clearly noted, there is no priority or important Buddhism in our constitution

hurt Thursday, 28 September 2017 07:51 PM

We all know that sri laka has too many Monkey Animal-Monks living on public money. would better for the country if this lazy gay guys start working.

ceylon Thursday, 28 September 2017 08:15 PM

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM WEDDA PEOPLE.THIS IS OUR COUNTRYSINHALESE GO BACK TO INDIATAMILS GO BACK TO INDIA.MUSLIMS GO BACK TO MIDDLE EAST.BURGERS GO BACK TO EUROPE. via DM Android App

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Mangala condemns attack on Rohingyas

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