BBS discusses communal reconciliation with Mano Ganesan

Thursday, 18 May 2017 00:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Chamodi Gunawardana

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero met Minister of National Co-existence, Dialogue and Official Languages Mano Ganesan yesterday to discuss reconciliation between all communities of the country.

Gnanasara Thero has stressed the importance of harmonious relations among all ethnicities and religions, especially between the Sinhalese and Tamils since the country was in a post-war period.

Referring to a number of incidents during the recent past which caused a gulf between the Sinhalese and Tamil, Gnanasara Thero highlighted that as the Minister of National Co-existence, Dialogue and Official Languages, Ganesan should take steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

Speaking after the discussion, Minister Ganesan said that he already has a sound idea about his responsibilities as the Minister of National Co-existence, Dialogue and Official Languages and needed no reminders.

Ganesan said he had already taken actions to avoid incidents which spread communal disharmony as the Minister and would continue his work.

He also said as being a Sinhala-speaking Tamil politician he could be a role model to the public to showcase the unity of the country.

Ganesan added that even though he belonged to a different ethnicity, he believed that the priority given to Buddhism by the Constitution should remain unchanged.

A day before the discussion with the Minister, Gnanasara Thero had stated that Ganesan was unsuitable for the position of Minister of National Co-existence, Dialogue and Official Languages since he had not taken any action to build unity among communities.

Responding to that, Ganesan said that no one could decide whether he was unsuitable for the position except President Maithripala Sirisena since he had the ultimate power to appoint or dismiss any Minister.