Friday, 20 June 2014 01:00
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IGP says security tightened in anticipation of protests by Mosque goers
Appeals for restraint and disregard to organisations stirring racism
55 people arrested, 138 complaints of vandalism, 35 remanded after courts
Police defends decision to allow rally, denies it did nothing to prevent clashes
By Uditha Jayasinghe
Police will tighten security around the country in anticipation of Muslim protests as the community gathers at mosques today after communal clashes left three dead and resulted in the arrest of 55 people in Aluthgama, Beruwala and Welipenna.
A special security operation will be put into effect on Friday as most Muslims gather at mosques to pray, Police Chief K. Illangakoon told reporters, flanked by Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella and Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana.
The move comes after the Muslim community in Colombo and the Eastern Pro-vince staged a hartal condemning the clashes.
Business establishments owned by Muslims were closed in Vavuniya, Eravur, Valaichchenai, Oddamavadi and Kattankudy.
“We wish to make a special appeal to all communities, especially Muslims to act with restraint. There are leaflets, Facebook updates and SMS being distributed by various bogus and illegal organisations calling for violence. We appeal to people not to fall prey to such machinations,” he said.
Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who also attended the press conference joined the Police Chief in reiterating that the law would be upheld to punish offenders arrested during three days of tension. Rambukwella took over the task of answering questions several times during the briefing that spiralled to nearly two hours as reporters bombarded officials with questions.
The Minister was quick to point out that communal clashes had taken place in many countries around the world. He also defended the Police, insisting that it was easy to judge with hindsight. He also appealed to the media not to escalate tensions by publicising the clashes and made an appeal for restraint.
Police rejected allegations of bias by pointing out that only seven of the 55 people arrested were Muslims, while the rest were Buddhists. Thirty-five people have also been remanded after being presented in court. According to Police records, 31 people were injured, of which 14 were Muslims and 17 were Sinhalese. Police have also received 138 complaints of vandalism and looting.
“Within the framework of the law provided to us we will take action,” Illangakoon stressed. He also pointed out that as Aluthgama was a large area and Police Special Forces were not able to provide blanket security with looting and torching taking place during Police curfew.
“We will always deny that the Police stood by and did nothing when shops and houses were being burnt and looted.”
Defending the decision to allow the hardline Buddhist organisation Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) to hold a rally in the town of Aluthgama, despite appeals from the Muslim community, Illangakoon was emphatic that they had talked to local community leaders and received promises that peace would be maintained.
When questioned as to why letters from Muslim leaders was ignored, Illangakoon ventured that local community leaders assurances had been deemed sufficient by the Police even though they came after unrest on Poson Poya day on Thursday that saw four shops being attacked.
Reading out a statement, Illangakoon noted Police security was provided to the mosque where people were gathering to prevent provocation. When asked why the rally was allowed to be held, he stated that the BBS had not received permission but rather that it was given to the “Shasanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya”.
“There is a culture in this country and we cannot prevent Buddhist events from taking place, especially during the Poson Week,” Rambukwella told media, taking over from Illangakoon. “This was a rally organised to felicitate a Buddhist priest in that area and we saw no reason to stop it.”
The attack on the Tamil watcher on Monday night was also explained away as it happened in Welipenna and Police insisted they had not imposed Police curfew in the area. Rohana also mentioned no guns were used in the attacks and no person died as a result of bullet wounds.
Illangakoon also dismissed charges that the Police was ineffectual in dealing with the BBS. “Whenever an incident has been brought to our notice, we have done all that we can. When we made the arrests, we did not ask whether they were BBS members or not. We don’t see how that is relevant.”
