Thursday, 31 July 2014 00:55
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The Ravana Balaya yesterday met the Secretary of the Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Ministry M.K.B. Dissanayaka and handed over a petition alleging a US conspiracy in Sri Lanka.
Monks attached to the Ravana Balaya said that the US Embassy is involved in promoting extremist groups in Sri Lanka. The monks, who had on an earlier occasion opposed the new religious police unit setup at the Ministry, said that the authorities have failed to take action against alleged moves by the US Embassy to promote extremism.
Earlier this week the US State Department had said in a report that although the Sri Lankan government officially endorsed religious freedom, in practice there were problems in specific areas.
The report said that in 2013 there were reports of societal abuses and discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice. Societal discrimination and violence against religious minorities increased markedly.
“Although members of different religious groups were generally tolerant of each other’s religious beliefs, there was evidence of growing distrust and fear, particularly on the part of religious minorities. Attacks on churches and mosques increased,” it said.
The report said that US embassy officials regularly conveyed concerns about religious freedom, particularly attacks on churches and mosques, to government leaders at the most senior levels and urged them to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.
The Ambassador and other embassy officials also met frequently with representatives from a broad spectrum of religious groups to discuss a wide range of religious freedom concerns. (Colombo Gazette)
