Beliefs of Muslims should be respected: Anura

• Disrespecting beliefs of the Muslim community would lead to communal unrest

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera  

A scientific approach to the cremation of Covid-19 related dead bodies should be adopted, while respecting the beliefs of the Muslim community, National Peoples’ Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.  

He told Parliament that disrespecting beliefs of the Muslim community would lead to communal unrest.  
“We accept that there should be a scientific approach with regard to victims of Covid-19. However, beliefs of the Muslim community should also be respected,” he said.  

Mr. Dissanayake said a certain group in the Government was instigating racism and urged the Government to stop such moves saying that it would lead to long-term consequences.  

“The rulers since the past have been engaged in instigating racism to divert burning issues. An incident was reported in Mawanella where a Buddhist Statue was stoned. This is also connected to this series of actions to instigate racism,’ he said.  

• Mr. Dissanayake said a certain group in the Government was instigating racism and urged the Government to stop such moves