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Last Updated : 2024-05-05 10:54:00
18 May 2023 06:20 am - 40 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
- MR says no room for communal disharmony or hatred in this country
- "I have no links to the Zimbabwean Pastor Uebert Angel or Pastor Jerome Fernando but I recall that there was a request from Pastor Jerome's office to meet me"
- "As the Prime Minister and Minister in charge of Religious Affairs at that time I always gave priority to meeting with religious heads"
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is alleged to have links with controversial Pastor Jerome Fernando and Zimbabwean Pastor Uebert Angel yesterday said he had no connections with either and had met them only on one instance when Pastor Jerome's office had sought a meeting when Rajapaksa was the Prime Minister.
Rajapaksa further condemned the recent derogatory remarks made by Pastor Jerome against religions and said there was no room for communal disharmony or hatred in this country.
"I strongly condemn remarks made by any individuals who attempt to cause communal disharmony in Sri Lanka especially when we fought hard as a nation to bring in unity and end all divisions," Rajapaksa said when contacted by Daily Mirror.
"I have no links to the Zimbabwean Pastor Uebert Angel or Pastor Jerome Fernando but I recall that there was a request from Pastor Jerome's office to meet me when I was the Prime Minister," he added.
Rajapaksa further said that as he was also the Minister of Religious Affairs during that time, Pastor Jerome's office had coordinated with the Prime Minister's office seeking a meeting to which he had agreed.
"It was a cordial meeting during which both the Pastors conducted a small prayer meeting with me and my wife. Since it was an official meeting, the pictures were released to the media. I have met Pastor Jerome and Uebert Angel only during that instance and have held no other meetings with them nor do I have any personal connections with either," Rajapaksa said.
"As the Prime Minister and Minister in charge of Religious Affairs at that time I always gave priority to meeting with religious heads as well as those connected to religious establishments as a part of a goodwill gesture and in order to see what issues they faced," he added.
The former president reiterated that he condemned the recent statements made by 'one of these individuals' against religions and understood the CID had now initiated an investigation against him for the derogatory remarks made against Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism.
Pastor Jerome Fernando is expected to be arrested upon his return to the country on Sunday as the CID obtained a travel ban on him from the Fort Magistrate's Court on Tuesday after he had already left the island. (JAMILA HUSAIN)
Galaboda Nanasara Thursday, 18 May 2023 06:49 AM
Amazing. PM Rajapaksa had an 'official' meeting with these two people and his wife 'happened to be present' for the 'meeting'.
Ranjith Thursday, 18 May 2023 06:57 AM
Lord Buddha never encouraged to convert people following other religions without doing that even now by present Buddhist monks Buddhism has survived truth is more important than numbers we cannot say same with some of these religions
Ranjith Thursday, 18 May 2023 07:19 AM
If a person has an in depth knowledge the religion his following he has no time to attack criticize or create disharmony among communities and religions as Buddhist we are not slaves to our religion and we are happy to be Buddhist
The Undertaker Thursday, 18 May 2023 07:27 AM
Birds of feather flock together.
MirakRajBanda Thursday, 18 May 2023 07:54 AM
- MR says no room for communal disharmony or hatred in this country. He thinks or lost in memory lane that Gnanasara, Warakagoda and Ampitiya are behind the bars for their utterly rhetoric remarks about Islam and Hinduism. They were /are still under patronage of Rajapaksas, the architects of modern day racist politics. They were kept in ready to leap once dog whistle blown by one of the Rajapakses.
Lion Thursday, 18 May 2023 08:08 AM
This may be correct ,but you and your family have always used religion and ethnicity to get in to power. When you lost in 2015 you used temples to start your campaign to show the nation that you are the protector of the Buddhism. While in opposition you brought gotha addressing the nation that you would find those who are behind pasku massacre , but you conveniently forgot it resulting the nation assuming that you all have a hand in it. Can tell volumes how you use religion for your interest.So get lost without making further destruction.
Mizaru Thursday, 18 May 2023 08:16 AM
Ha Ha Ha.
Shaq Thursday, 18 May 2023 08:21 AM
Why the sudden media attention and government ploy. Any preachers of any religions should strictly adhere to code. The Gnanasera is still in the wind and no action.
Limit, your lies Thursday, 18 May 2023 08:25 AM
MR, are you still fooling people. God saves Sri Lanka
Atheïst Thursday, 18 May 2023 08:30 AM
Religion is a private matter. I don't care which fairytales someone believes. If religion makes a person happy, then why bother? And if you feel offended by these religious conmen: Grow up!
Jude Thursday, 18 May 2023 08:31 AM
At the moment Only connection is with RANIL!! Yeah!! For saving MR's life his ,political career , his family his sons!! And allowing him to hide his stash!!
Anura Nanayakkara Thursday, 18 May 2023 08:33 AM
Why do some people always try to link MR with everything. MR had now told what happened then.
Shera Thursday, 18 May 2023 08:43 AM
"But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten."- Jeremiah 20:11
Rajkumar Mr Nagarajah Thursday, 18 May 2023 09:10 AM
Why are you guys picking on what other people are saying about any religion. Are we really practicing what our religion is telling us to do.
Man Thursday, 18 May 2023 09:32 AM
The deal exposed of Rajapakshas' double stand with respect to religion to deceive the majority Buddhists by having photographs with that pastor and who involved in gold scams in Zimbabwe. Why don't Rajapakshas' file a case against the publication of that photograph? It depicts the reason. What is more?
Murethettu Thursday, 18 May 2023 09:33 AM
MR only has connection to some God in South India where he is known to visit now and again ! There was a report some time back that somebody had offered a plane for such a visit ?
Shane Thursday, 18 May 2023 10:06 AM
YES YES - We Believe YOU .....LMFAO !!
Ravi Thursday, 18 May 2023 10:35 AM
What Gvt did when Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara lead BBS incited riots against Muslims in 2014, 4 killed and hundreds injured while more than 10,000 people displaced. What did you do for those individuals who caused communal disharmony? How come something becomes disharmony if that’s the truth?
BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 18 May 2023 10:36 AM
Now which orifice is he talking through? If SWRD was the father of Racism, Rajapakse's are the Prophets of Racism and Religious Intolerance. Can you remember how your brother provided defense ministry vehicles to Gnanasara and Dan Prasad to travel around threatening other religions and races? Remember Gota did the opening of the party offices of BBS.
Dravid Bakmeena Thursday, 18 May 2023 10:41 AM
wow MR, so you had a official meeting at PM office but your wife and Namal wife happen to be there too!
roni Thursday, 18 May 2023 10:48 AM
There is no need to accept or deny unless there is a hidden. agenda as is always the case with this family.
Gladkick Thursday, 18 May 2023 11:16 AM
You have nothing to do with anything that has happened, currently happening and will happen in the future... Bloody nonsense. Thinks people are still fools. All of you are same.
Gamini Thursday, 18 May 2023 12:02 PM
every wrong doing in this country has some connection to the Rajapakshas
Volker Metzger Thursday, 18 May 2023 12:17 PM
According to the previous experiences with the families of the Rajapaksas: any person in Sri Lanka believes Mahinda anything when he opens his mouth !!! He has always played with the truth, racism, ethnocentrism and the resulting intolerance and arrogance are characteristic of his life! He has lost all credibility and should spend the rest of his life in solitude and meditating under guidance.
mark anandappa Thursday, 18 May 2023 12:28 PM
This was expected - denying is what they all will do.
Prof. K.A.W. Siriwardene Thursday, 18 May 2023 12:44 PM
MR you cannot deny Sir, you had close links with Ubert Angel
DHA Thursday, 18 May 2023 12:46 PM
All these are political divisions.... sadly over the years our politicians created racism so that their bellies are full still it continues our countrymen are real fools to waste time on these stupid arguments!
Milton Ratnapala - General merchant Hambantota Thursday, 18 May 2023 12:50 PM
Mahinda then Uganda money what you have already deposited who is looking after? Angel or who else.
ROSH Thursday, 18 May 2023 01:58 PM
Please don’t fall into the election trap these unscrupulous family crooks and cronies love to eliminate your own citizens for their benefit not for the benefit of the country
Eksath Thursday, 18 May 2023 03:03 PM
How come his daughter in law also to be there? MR's whole family is Christian but having a double standard to Buddhists. We should denounce this practice.
S. Samarakoon Thursday, 18 May 2023 04:12 PM
Liar No.1. They got his prayers for sure.
Buddhist Thursday, 18 May 2023 04:30 PM
I did not know that in any country, let alone Sri Lanka a minister would meet with visiting preachers with the whole family. Does this minister think that he is the minister of the "home affairs of his family" or a minister of a country?
Mahesh Thursday, 18 May 2023 04:40 PM
MR has only good connection with the Chinese President to borrow money
ranjit Thursday, 18 May 2023 04:44 PM
"As the Prime Minister and Minister in charge of Religious Affairs at that time I always gave priority to meeting with religious heads" why was his wife there at an official meeting? or is that photo taken at an unofficial meeting?
Vadivelu Yogaratnam Thursday, 18 May 2023 09:00 PM
Most honest man in politics speaking cheers hip, hip, hip hooray.
UMAS Friday, 19 May 2023 02:38 PM
i will NOT VOTE for mr mahinda, namal or basil rajapaksa
ANNECUNT Friday, 19 May 2023 02:39 PM
IF YOU VOTE FOR MR MAHINDA OR NAMAL YOU ARE A IDIOT
UMAS Friday, 19 May 2023 06:27 PM
mr mahinda and mr namal are liers and thief i will NOT VOTE FOR THEM
Ram Tuesday, 23 May 2023 06:16 PM
An early election propaganda.
ANNEDOUBLECUNT Thursday, 25 May 2023 02:18 PM
IS MR NAMAL RAJAPAKSA THE PRESIDENT OF SRI-LANKA?
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