Saturday, 28 June 2014 00:08
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The South Asia Policy and Research Institute (SAPRI) and the Members of its Forum for Inter-Faith Dialogue (FIFaD) vehemently condemn the recent out-break of violence in Aluthgama and Beruwala which has led to the tragic deaths of three persons, injuries to scores of others and the wanton destruction of houses, factories and business establishments in the area.
Sri Lanka, a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-lingual society, has just emerged from nearly three decades of bitter violence. When the country and its long suffering citizens of all communities and faith are clamouring for peace, reconciliation, equity, justice and reconstruction, we cannot permit hatred and violence to be deliberately fostered and fomented. It is evident that Buddhists and Muslims in Aluthgama and Beruwala have been living in harmony in neighborhood communities up to the time a relatively minor incident that was subsequently settled between the parties concerned had been used by rabble-rousers to create discord and incite violence. It is unfortunate that law enforcement agencies that had definite reason to foresee that violence could result, did not take pre-emptive action.
We call on the Government and the law enforcement authorities to promptly institute an impartial inquiry and bring the instigators of the mayhem and rabble-rousers as well as the perpetrators to book. We also call upon the Government to ensure that early-warning systems are put in place and law enforcement agencies strictly instructed to take all necessary steps to prevent any repetition of such dangerously disruptive acts.
We support all the appeals made by inter religious, non-governmental and political bodies that are urging the restoration of normalcy, reconciliation and justice, when all communities and people in our country must be united in these troubled times. Our collective goal must be to build an inclusive shared society where the members of all communities and faiths could live with dignity, equality, justice and in harmony.
