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If people fear extremists, country’s future will be at stake, says Champika
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A section of the audience at the Rata Jathika Maga convention
A country would have no future if its people fear extremist communal groups, Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka said this week.
Speaking at a convention of the ‘Rata Jathika Maga’, the minister said Sri Lanka’s Buddhists, Christians and Muslims were living in fear after the Easter Sunday bomb blasts.
He said the outcome of such a state of affairs, with thugs trying to become national leaders, would be detrimental to the country’s progress.
“We have to say that there are a few who misinterpret the Quran, the Bible and the Torah (Jewish scripture). Some of these interpretations could provoke the followers to destroy statues or other religious groups. Verses found in the scriptures were said in special cases but when they are taken out of context, they can be used in any manner,” he warned.
Explaining further, the minister said such verses referred to actions taken by leaders at that time, but if those actions are to be taken literally at the present time, it would destroy the country.
“Unfortunately there were a few who believed that if they became Jihadists they could go to heaven. These extremists are different from the LTTE and JVP rebels. These extremists are affluent. They are not affected by poverty. They distort religious beliefs and, therefore, they should be stopped,” the minister said.
He said such extremist groups did not need an army, as the JVP or the LTTE had, to achieve their objectives. The extremist only needed one person to cause maximum harm through suicide bombs or attacks with sharp weapons.
Mr. Ranawaka also said he regretted the decision taken by Muslim ministers to tender their resignation.