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Mob attack on A’pura Church: Six individuals issued notices

19 April 2019 12:15 am - 10     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Six individuals had been issued notices to appear in court on May 5 over their alleged involvement in the attack on a Methodist prayer centre at Anuradhapura on March 31, police said.

They said the six individuals were issued notices after they appeared before the Anuradhapura Magistrate yesterday.

Following a complaint by the priest-in-charge Rev. Dinuka Silva and Methodist Church Bishop Rev. Asiri Perera, the Anuradhapura Police on Wednesday summoned both parties to the police but no action had been taken against the offenders at that point.

Bishop Perera told media that there was a discussion between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the IGP at Temple Trees yesterday where the Premier has assured that he would look into the issue and instruct the relevant bodies to take necessary actions.

The Bishop said the IGP promised that he would deploy police personnel to ensure security in the prayer centre premises during the prayer services conducted today being Good Friday.

When a journalist asked as to who was behind the attack, Bishop Perera said a group led by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Councillor Nalin Siriwardena had instigated the attack on the prayer centre and threatened those who were observing religious practices on several occasions.

“They were insisting that we should close down our worship centre claiming that there cannot be any religious places existent in the surrounding, as the Provincial Council was about to launch a development project in the particular area,” he said.

“What a peculiar development project! How can religious centres hinder a development project?” Bishop Perera asked. However, he was of the opinion that there was a political force behind the incident which became evident with the alleged involvement of the SLPP PC member in the attack.

Nevertheless, he said former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa contacted him and expressed his concern.

“He said he was deeply worried and assured that he would look into the issue and would send a representative from his office to see as to what had really taken place,” Bishop Perera said.

Meanwhile, the Bishop said UPFA MP S. M. Chandrasena, who had also spoken to him, had denied any involvement of a SLPP PC member in the attack.

The Bishop concluded saying that they would carry out a silence prayer stand on the Galle Road (opposite the Methodist Church, Kollupitiya) at 2.00 pm today to preserve religious freedom of Christians. (Sheain Fernandopulle)


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  Comments - 10

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  • sunil vijaya Friday, 19 April 2019 06:24 AM

    for heavens sake stop this TRIBALISM

    Andrew Silva Friday, 19 April 2019 06:28 AM

    There they go again. Devide and rule prinsiples.

    Atnold Friday, 19 April 2019 07:25 AM

    Our government is toothless. They just wait till the problems become real big and look around for help after that.

    Sambo Friday, 19 April 2019 07:39 AM

    These are hooligans and they are the people who are going to rule our country. They have also no shame so no point speaking of it. But remember our lord is a living GOD and do not make such mistakes.

    suresh Friday, 19 April 2019 08:47 AM

    abcd

    Saranga Friday, 19 April 2019 09:23 AM

    Why always have to go to PM or the President Why can't police enforce the law very simple War crime issue is based on this Our law makers and law enforcement care unable to protect it's people Perhaps only good at protecting Singhalese/Buddhist but not the rest of the population

    Sam Friday, 19 April 2019 10:23 AM

    What business Mr Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has in this incident and how would he investigate ? Why is he the first one to respond? Isn't something fishy here ?

    Sunil Friday, 19 April 2019 10:36 AM

    This is indeed a very serious issue. What action will the two scarecrow leaders, the president and the pm take? We are watching.

    Dulan de Silva Saturday, 20 April 2019 08:29 AM

    Funny to hear how Gotabaya is pretending to be a good man

    VJ Saturday, 20 April 2019 10:06 AM

    This incident has everything to do with the upcoming elections. Attack on Christian prayer centers happens all the time. Some get reported and some don’t. If the government take action against the attackers, the opposition propaganda machinery will swing into action. You know what the slogan would be.


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