News
New Police Unit from tomorrow to prevent religious disturbances
Unauthorised construction of religious places, land-grab to construct places of worship and religious clashes are among complaints the new police unit that comes into operation tomorrow, will investigate to prevent religious disturbances.
Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) of Police (Western Province) Anura Senanayaka told the Sunday Times that complaints against unethical conversions, religious related disturbances and threats to religious persons will be investigated by the unit.
“It won’t be necessary for any other organisation to resolve religious related violence. They can bring any complaints to us,”he said, adding that, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Bandula Perera, as Director of the unit, will operate from the Buddha Sasana Ministry at Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7.
He said that, in addition to taking legal action against offending parties, there will also be provision to amicably settle matters where the parties concerned will be summoned for discussions.
The establishment of the new unit to prevent religion-related incidents was in consequence to the Bodu Bala Sena’s (BBS) involvement in several incidents.In the latest incident, BBS members stormed the Ministry of Industry and Commerce this week, in search of another Buddhist monk supportive of establishing an organisation backed by Minister Bathiudeen.
Earlier in the week, BBS members stormed the Mahiyangana Pradeshiya Sabha, where a monk supporting the rival organisation was due to make a statement, and the monk had to be escorted from the rear entrance due to threats to his person.
Meanwhile, SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem yesterday condemned the storming of Minister Bathiudeen’s ministry by BBS members, and the lack of action taken against the raiding party.
Minister Hakeem said there was no purpose in setting up separate units to handle religion-related violence when the police can act using existing powers.