Wednesday, 1 October 2014 01:51
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The Government yesterday played down the views expressed by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and insisted that it stands for coexistence among all communities.
Cabinet spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that the Government did not endorse the views of the BBS expressed at a conference in Colombo recently.
He also said that if anyone felt threatened by the views expressed by any group or individual then there is a legal system in place where the concerns on such issues can be addressed.
The Cabinet had also approved the appointment of a Cabinet Sub-Committee on Social Reconciliation and Coexistence among Communities.
The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Social Reconciliation and Coexistence among Communities will be presided over by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and will comprise ministers to monitor and facilitate the implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations aimed at strengthening of coexistence among communities.
The Cabinet has also agreed to appoint a Committee of Officers comprising ministry secretaries and presided over by the Secretary to the President who functions as the Chairman of the Committee which supervises the implementation of the recommendations of LLRC to assist this Cabinet sub-committee.
The BBS on Sunday issued an ultimatum to the Government, saying it will not hesitate to push for a change of Government if the Government fails to address, what they claim to be, a threat faced by Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
BBS President, the venerable Kirama Wimalajothi, speaking at a BBS conference at the Sugadathasa Indoor Stadium, insisted that Sri Lanka is not a multi-religious country.
He said Sri Lanka is a Sinhalese, Buddhist country and Buddhism in Sri Lanka is now facing a threat from some groups, including according to him, extremist Muslim and Christian groups.
Speaking in front of a large gathering of monks and guests, including the venerable Ashin Wirathu, the dreaded leader of the 969 Movement in Myanmar and the Vedda chief, the venerable Kirama Wimalajothi said that a BBS policy statement will be presented to the Government detailing the concerns of Buddhists in Sri Lanka and if the Government fails to address the issue then the BBS and Buddhists in Sri Lanka will “bring a man from the village” to lead the country and make the change. (Colombo Gazette)
