BBS brings its cold war home, tests official resolve

Thursday, 24 April 2014 00:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Storms Rishad Bathiudeen’s office; Minister condemns wrongful entry

The Government together with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce strongly condemned the wrongful entry and search of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce premises yesterday by a group of Buddhist monks and individuals who alleged to be a part of Bodu Bala Sena organisation.

Around 11:30 a.m. last morning, five Buddhist monks accompanied by some individuals made a forced and unlawful entry and trespass of the premises of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce at No. 73/1, Galle Road, Colombo 3, disrupting the work of the Ministry in general and its officials in particular, on the pretext of searching for a Buddhist monk hiding in the premises.

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen stated: “Without any prior permission around 11:30 a.m., five Buddhist monks accompanied by some individuals made a forced and unlawful entry and trespass of Ministry of Industry and Commerce premises at No. 73/1, Galle Road, Colombo 3, disrupting the work of Lakshman Wasantha Perera (Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce), Anura Siriwardena (Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce) and the Ministry in general, saying that they were searching for a Buddhist monk hiding in the premises. “At the time of their entry, I was not present at the Ministry premises. Nevertheless, I, as the Minister of Industry and Commerce, strongly condemn this form of unruly behaviour of Buddhist monks, who are the religious leaders of the society and who are expected to set a good example to others by their good behaviour. This incident sets a bad precedent in a country that has overcome three decades of terrorism thanks to the efforts of our committed President Mahinda Rajapaksa. “The Bodu Bala Sena’s continuous violations of law and order with impunity also highlight that religious harmony, vital for Sri Lanka’s next phase of development as envisioned by our President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is now threatened. In fact, the BBS, from its small beginnings, has grown to become a huge threat to the country so much so that its danger to the country exceeds the threat posed by the extremist LTTE. Hence, I call members of BBS to give up such extremist behaviour and follow a moderate path compatible with the teachings of Lord Buddha.”