By Hiran Priyankara
Jayasinghe
Scores of children aged between 10 and 15, refugees and residents were among more than 1000 protestors who burnt tyres and waved black flags on Friday at Naagawilluwa in Puttalam voicing their opposition to a proposed visit by a minister and SLMC dissident to the area.
The uproar occurred when the people heard that Rehabilitation Minister Rishard Bathiudeen was visiting the area to oversee the construction of a new building for the Erukkulampiddi Muslim Vidyalaya. Men, women and children were seen blocking the school gate.
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| Erukkulampiddi Muslim Vidyalaya |
Supporters of Minister Bathiudeen allege that former SLMC minister Noordeen Mashoor was behind the protest.
They said the protesters entered the Erukkulampiddi Muslim Vidyalaya, and forced students to participate in the protest compelling the authorities to close school.
The demonstrators said Mr. Bathiudeen was not welcome in the area but they did not mind any other government minister getting involved in projects.
Mr. Bathiudeen commenting on the incident said he had not scheduled a visit to the area and regretted the disruption of school activities.
Friday’s demonstration came against the backdrop of clashes between rival Muslim political groups early last month in the same area which is home to a large number of displaced Muslims from the north. Last month’s clashes erupted after supporters of Minister Bathiudeen burnet tyres and allegedly attacked SLMC supporters ahead of a visit by SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem to Puttalam. | 
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