Iran expresses confidence

BBC: The Iranian government has expressed confidence in the Prime Minister to resolve the controversy on the attempts to remove a mosque from a site in Dambulla.

Several International and Muslim organisations had asked the Government to take action to resolve the issue.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne, the Iranian Ambassador in Colombo says that he is assured of an amicable solution. I have the confidence that your honour in your capacity as the honourable Prime Minister and religious affairs would devote your utmost attention to resolve the issue in an amicable way leading to the further strengthening of the existing communal harmony,” says the Iranian envoy in Colombo.

In a statement issued from London, Minority Rights Group (MRG) warned about rising religious intolerance in Sri Lanka. Minority Tamils and Muslims are increasingly becoming targets of rising religious intolerance by some Sinhala Buddhist nationalist groups,” say the MRG.



MRG also asks the government of Sri Lanka to take firm action to protect and promote the rights of all communities, not just that of the majority community.

Meanwhile the attempts by Government politician M. L. A. M. Hizbullah to intervene on the issue was criticised by the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU Council of the Muslim Theologians) and the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL).

The Deputy Minister’s claims at the meeting with Rev. Inamaluwa Thero on 23 April that the Dumbulla Khairiya Jumma Mosque was not damaged by the mob led by some Buddhist monks is totally false and misleading.