CPA survey on growing anti-Muslim sentiment 75% of poll respondents say Black July recurrence likel

An online poll conducted by Social Indicator, the survey research unit of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, about growing anti-Muslim sentiment and the rise of hardline groups found that over 75% of respondents believe it is realistic to think that Sri Lanka may see another Black July, referring to the ethnic riots in July 1983 against Tamils and Tamil-owned businesses and neighbourhoods.

“The past few weeks have seen a rise in incidents and publicly expressed sentiments against the Muslim community by groups who claim to represent the rights of Sinhala Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Expressing concerns of undue place given to Muslims in Sri Lanka – from entrance to the Law College to issuing Halal certification to even increase in Muslim population and property ownership by Muslims – groups such as the Bodu Bala Sena and Sinhala Ravaya have taken it upon themselves to educate the Sinhala Buddhists on these concerns. While these groups declare to be non-violent, speeches given by them at various rallies, defamatory references to individuals and the attacks on Muslim-owned businesses in the past few weeks give the impression of a situation of vigilante groups gathering strength,” Groundviews, the citizen journalism website that published the poll results, said.

According to Groundviews, the poll also found that 75% believe that the Defence Secretary’s association with the Bodu Bala Sena has strengthened the power of the group to continue their vigilante activities. With the majority of respondents labelling groups like the BBS as ‘intolerant’ on the issue of Mobitel including a song (for sale) by the BBS in their mTunes library, around 42% believe that Mobitel should remove the song from their library, that people should not have anything to with businesses that support groups like the BBS and that calling for a boycott of Mobitel is necessary to send a clear message that people will not tolerate anyone supporting groups like the BBS, the poll found.

Meanwhile, 60% of poll respondents believe that the media should not give a voice to groups like the Bodu Bala Sena. Faith in law enforcement is low, with around 40% of respondents believing that vigilante groups engaging in raids and attacks on private property would never be arrested.