Saturday, 13 July 2013 00:28
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Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in a statement has condemned the recent attack on Buddha Gaya.
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the shocking incident of a terrorist attack on the Holy Shrine of Buddha Gaya. I hasten to condemn this dastardly act, together with all those in the world who believe in tolerance and peaceful coexistence. The act of a few extremists must not be recognised as one perpetrated by a whole nation or by an entire community,” her statement said.
“This tragic occasion could prove to be a moment of reflection for all of us who live in multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi- cultural societies. In countries like Sri Lanka and India, we have lived for millennia, together with people of many different communities. Our forefathers gave us leadership to live in harmony together, creating some of the world’s greatest and richest civilisations. We must once again learn to celebrate our diversity and build unity within that diversity, rather than sow hatred, jealousy, suspicion of those who are different,” it added.
“It is the sacred duty of those at the helm of governments to punish those who disrupt harmony, as well as to build unity within their nations. The only method that I know to achieve this is to actively respect the rights of all different communities living within a State and grant them all their rights,” Kumaratunga’s statement said.
