Muslim organisations offer support to President to restore peace in country

The leaders of Muslim organisations extended their fullest support to President Maithripala Sirisena to establish a peaceful atmosphere conducive for all Sri Lankans to live in peace and harmony. 

These sentiments were expressed during a meeting held by the President with members of Muslim organisations on 7 March at the President’s office to discuss the current situation prevailing in the country. 

The President, pointing out that only a small group of extremist elements were responsible for riotous acts, explained to these representatives that the authorities had already moved to arrest and take legal action against them.

President Sirisena mentioned that the Government had already taken every necessary step to build a peaceful country for all people to live in harmony. 

The Muslim representatives expressed their deep concern over the incidents that occurred in several places in the Kandy District and asked President Sirisena to take every possible step to prevent such clashes irrespective of the religion or ethnicity of the culprits.

They expressed confidence that only President Sirisena could implement a long-term solution in order to ensure such clashes would not reoccur and that he would find a lasting solution to the issue during his tenure. 

The Muslim representatives said that legal action must be taken against individuals who engage in such hateful acts regardless of their positions. They also urged the president not to allow social media outlets to arouse ethnic animosity through false propaganda.

The leaders of the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) and members of Muslim civil society were present at this gathering.