Muslims in Ambala, in Teldeniya pay gratitude to Sinhala villagers for not fuelling communal hatred

Strengthening bonds, the Muslim community living in Ambala paid their gratitude to their Sinhala Buddhist neighbours, on 1 January, for protecting them during a period of communal violence that occurred in the Kandy District in March 2018.

The outbreak of violence was sparked with the death of 41-year-old driver H.G. Kumarasinghe who was living in Ambala and died after being beaten by a group of Muslim men over a traffic accident, last year.

Less than a decade after Sri Lanka ended a bloody war against Tamil separatists, the latest bout of communal violence against the Muslim community has raised fears of a return to conflict and instability in the nation. 

Hundreds of people, mostly outsiders, poured into towns in Kandy District and attacked and torched dozens of Muslim businesses, houses and mosques. The Government, fearing more violence, imposed a state of emergency, deployed the army and extended a police curfew in the region.

Ambala, Kumarasinghe’s village, should have been a flash point for violence. However, the wise and timely actions of the Chief Incumbent of Mangalaramaya, Batticaloa and Sri Sudarshanaramaya in Kandy Ampitiye Sumanarathana Thera in reminding the community of their Buddhist values and the principled nature of Kumarasinghe’s family in not wanting to take revenge, resulted in no incidence of violence here, unlike in other towns in Kandy District.

In gratitude, All Ceylon Jammiyathul Ulama and the 36 Muslim families of Ambala held a ceremony at the Peraketiya Sri Ginarathna Temple to acknowledge the virtuous actions of the local Sinhala Buddhist community.

“We are so proud that we have finally acknowledged the valiant efforts of our Sinhala neighbours to protect and save us,” Fahir Moulavi said. He said that since March they wanted to thank the Sinhala Buddhist community for protecting them and their mosque from destruction.

Over 450 attended the ‘Thank you’ event which helped to bring both the Muslim and Buddhist communities even closer together. The Kumarasinghe family was also in attendance and gifted with money to help them better cope with a tough financial situation and the loss of a son, father and husband.

“I am so happy to live in this village because of you, our Sinhalese neighbours. And the Thero and his followers were like a large elephant in the forest protecting us who is like a baby elephant. They are truly following the teachings of the Buddha,” a resident of Ambala village Mohamed Shekh Ali said. 

He said that it was a genuine heartfelt response from the Muslim community of Ambala toward their Sinhala Buddhist brothers and sisters.

The actions of the Ambala community should stand as an example to all Sri Lankans to live in peace and harmony with all people.