Pohottuwa cadres suspected of attacking Muslims: Muslim council writes to GL

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka has written to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris to inform the party that emerged victorious in Saturday’s local government election that its party cadres were suspected of causing violence against Muslims in several areas.

Congratulating the SLPP on its “impressive victory”, Muslim Council President N.M. Ameen told Prof. Peiris in his letter that Pohottuwa cadres were suspected of causing violence in Ugurasapitiya, Kandy, Veyangalla in Agalawatte Kalutara and a few other Muslim villages. The incidents had taken place on the assumption that Muslims in those areas had not supported the SLPP, Ameen said in his letter.

“To the best of our knowledge, considerable number of Muslims has supported your party especially because of yours and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s able leadership,”  the Muslim Council President said.

“We would be grateful if you would kindly send out a press communiqué and message to your party cadres requesting them to refrain from causing any hatred or violence against anyone,” the letter said.

Meanwhile a defeated SLPP candidate in the Puttlam District had threatened villagers in the Manathivu area, on the assumption that the residents had supported a UNP candidate in the recently concluded poll, local correspondents said. Police had intervened to prevent clashes, it is reported.