Clergy chorus for unity

Wednesday, 18 June 2014 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A chorus from the clergy for unity in the aftermath of the Aluthgama incident is growing, with the latest voice joining yesterday being that of the Chief Prelate of the Amarapura Monastic Order.

The Mahanayake of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, the Most Venerable Davuldena Sri Gnanissara Thero, in an open letter called for unity among all communities in Sri Lanka. Expressing regret about the unrest in Aluthgama, Beruwala and Dharga Town, the Maha Nayaka Thero said that Buddhists had lived in Sri Lanka in peace and unity, without ethnic or religious discrimination. “When an incident takes place, it must be resolved through discussion. There should be no lives lost or damage to property. People of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim ethnicities must live together in peace and unity,” the Chief Monk’s letter said. Serious concerns were also expressed in Parliament over the Aluthgama incident as well as a potentially-dangerous rally in Mawanella yesterday, which was subsequently halted by Police after obtaining a Court order. UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe made a special statement on the incidents in Aluthgama and Beruwala and called for an urgent party leaders’ meeting to discuss the issue. Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne, who also briefed Parliament on the incidents, said that the Government and the Police would take all measures to the address the situation which had arisen following the Aluthgama incident.