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CBK blames law enforcement agencies for the violence

23 Jun 2014 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, issuing a statement on the incidents in Aluthgama, said the law enforcement authorities had failed to deal with hate mongering and the violation of the Law.

“It's a matter of great concern that the law enforcement authorities have failed to deal with hate mongering and the blatant violation of the Law for nearly 18 months,” she said and added that her thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones and their livelihoods.

Ms. Kumarathunga said she was appalled by initial reports that the violence was orchestrated after a public meeting and a provocative march by violent extremists who pursued narrow, personal goals, in the name of Buddhism.

The statement said:

“Government connivance with communal violence in 1983 led the country to a terribly destructive war for 25 years. Since then, several governments of Sri Lanka led the military, the Police and the peoples of Lanka to defeat terrorism and separatism. The present government played an essential role in finally bringing an end to war and terrorism. We now have before us, an extraordinary opportunity for Progress and Prosperity by creating a Pluralist, Inclusive Democracy, giving to all our citizens, equal economic, socio-cultural and political opportunity.

The freedom of belief and of expression is key elements of a free, democratic society and of a politically stable, economically prosperous State.

“It is the duty of Government to protect the lives of every one of its citizens, to guarantee the rule of Law prevails for all alike. It is the sacred responsibility of the highest authorities of government to ensure this.

“I say this, without hesitation, as I'm aware of how speedily my government successfully halted acts of provocation and communal violence, on several occasions, against Christian churches and also against Muslim persons and their property, which occurred in several Districts in the South and the East. Immediate and strong action resolved the issue.

“In the name of the immense sacrifices made by our peoples for a quarter of a century ,during the ethnic conflict and the ensuing terrorism, I urge that of the large number of leaders, organizations and individuals to call upon the government, especially its leaders, to take immediate action in every way possible, to bring a halt to this communal and religious violence, to institute an impartial inquiry into the incidents ,without delay and to direct the law enforcement authorities to take strict legal action against the instigators and perpetrators of this savage violence. We cannot, we must not allow our Motherland to be dragged into another civil War, by a small group of extremists.

The vast Majority of Sinhala Buddhists believes in the path of understanding, loving kindness, generosity and rationality. We must all unitedly strive to eliminate this dangerous affliction of hatred towards the other communities and build an United Lanka, where Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Christian peoples live in Harmony.”

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CBK blames law enforcement agencies for the violence

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