“It’s a fake”: BBS

•  Leaked communication draws link between Govt. and BBS
• Bodu Bala Sena denies contents of letter emailed to media and embassies
• Group says it will take the matter to the CID
• Announces campaigns against purdah and circumcision

By Dharisha Bastians

The Bodu Bala Sena group yesterday vehemently denied the alleged leak of a controversial internal communication that announced patronage by the Government; an assurance from the Defence establishment that the group’s supporters would not face consequences in the crackdown on the Pepiliyana Fashion Bug attackers and a fresh anti-Muslim campaign.

Bodu Bala Sena Executive Committee member and layman, Dilantha Withanage called on the media to verify news prior to publication. In a clarification texted to media personnel, Withanage said: “some elements were doing this to damage national unity.”

 “This news was spread by false email,” the Ex-Co Member said.

A copy of the alleged ‘private and confidential’ communication, signed by the Group’s General Secretary Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thero was widely circulated to media organizations and personnel and even to some diplomatic missions.

The monk denied the contents of the letter, denouncing it as a fake circulated by those wishing to bring the Bodu Bala Sena group into disrepute. He said the Group would request the CID to launch an inquiry into the incident in writing.

The ‘leaked’ letter said an agreement had been reached between the Government and the Bodu Bala Sena group, that the group’s activities would not be hindered by the authorities. The communication assured the group’s membership that video footage obtained at the scene of the Pepiliyana attack had been handed over to the CID.  “There is no need to fear for our members on the tapes, the Defence Secretary assured us during a meeting yesterday,” the undated letter said.

The widely circulated letter was typeset on a Bodu Bala Sena letterhead and sent from the email address: [email protected].

The allegedly faked letter, also announced a campaign against the ‘Purdah’ worn by Muslim women and an agitation for the ban on circumcision in the country.