30 October 2019 10:27 pm
New Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa today pledged to ban all forms of extremism in the country, but not to harm any religious or ethnic group under the pretext of doing so.
Speaking during an election rally in Kinniya in the Trincomalee District, Mr. Premadasa said a government headed by him will not allow anyone to promote any form of extremism.
“We will destroy terrorism but will not harm any religion or an ethnic group in the guise of doing it. We will not allow any form of extremism and ban such activities,” Mr. Premadasa said.
“We will safeguard Buddhism but will also safeguard the rights of other religious groups in the country as well. Buddha did not recommend destroying or suppressing other religions in his teachings. Therefore we would work accordingly and will look after the people of other religions” he added.
The NDF Candidate said he would work towards unifying all people in an undivided nation.
Mr. Premadasa pledged to provide fishery equipment under a subsidised scheme and will relax laws pertaining to fishing in the seas outside Sri Lanka while ensuring the country’s security. Also, he promised to resolve sanitary issues faced by the people in Kinniya.
Minister Rishad Bathiudeen criticised Presidential Candidate M. L. A. M. Hizbullah saying his intention is to destroy Muslims and other communities. He said those Muslims in the Rajapaksa camp are extremists,”.
Minister Rauff Hakeem said this election would be a tussle between justice and injustice and people should see to it that justice emerges victorious. (Yohan Perera)