Azath Salley moots multi-religious committees to promote peaceful co-existence

Western Province Governor Azath Salley

Western Province Governor Azath Salley called on the officials of the Western Provincial Council to appoint a committee comprising religious scholars to step up an awareness program for peaceful co-existence among people of all faiths, in the wake of the escalating violence in the island resulting from the recent serial bomb blasts in the country.

The Governor was addressing the senior officials of the Provincial Council, which included the Chairman, Chief Secretary and secretaries of various local bodies at the headquarters of the Provincial Council in Battaramulla, on Tuesday.

The meeting was held to review the budget allocations, education, health and security measures in the wake of the current situation.

The Governor insisted that the security plan should be enhanced in schools and in provincial and local Government bodies in the light of the recent disturbances in the country. “Such a plan will help maintain peace and amity in the country,” he added. 

He also listened to the grievances put forward by the participants and pledged that they would be redressed in due course. 

Speaking to the press following the meeting, the Governor said that the violence unleashed against innocent Muslims, their properties and their worshipping places carried out in retaliation for the dastardly actions of a few extremists is unpardonable and cannot be accepted by any right-thinking person. 

“It’s disturbing to note that an unknown group of racists have done all these damages and the Government has to take remedial  measures to bring them to the book, “said Salley, adding that the imposition of the curfew had curbed the violence and the damages to the Muslim properties.