The JVP today alleged that the real culprit behind the rising extremism in the country is the government and not the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva told a media briefing that the government which backed extremist groups such as the BBS should be blamed for the extremism and the recent clashes in Aluthgama.
    
He charged that the government uses these organisations to gain political mileage. “The government makes the BBS to be silent at times and makes them engage in various activities whenever it wants,” he said.

Further he questioned why some ministers who come under heavy criticism by the BBS keep quiet without reacting.

He also faulted the government for its failure to arrest the BBS monk who had allegedly engaged in hate speech to date. (Yohan Perera and Darshana Sanjeewa)