Prime Minister says stern action against those causing disturbances, condemns attacks

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today told Parliament that the government would deal sternly with those who disturb peace, instigate communal clashes and spread racial sentiments.

Taking part in an adjournment debate in the House, the Prime Minister also said that the government would pay compensation for the losses of lives and properties caused by the recent Sinhala-Muslim clashes at several places in the country.

He also thanked the Maha Sangha, Moulavis, provincial correspondents and all those who acted with restraint to prevent the spread of communal clashes.

Here are extracts of his speech:

“On the night of February 26, there had been a clash after a group of consumers found some unusual ingredients in food being served at Cassim Hotel, in DS Senanayake Street in Ampara. A heated argument between the hotel employees and consumers had erupted and ended in an altercation. This was followed by a mob damaging the hotel while four other shops belonging to Muslims and a mosque were also attacked. As soon as the incident occurred the police took action. There had been some lapses in those actions by police and I instructed to conduct a separate investigation under the supervision of Batticaloa DIG.

“Around 2 am on Feb 22, four Muslim youth who had arrived in a three-wheeler and assaulted a driver of a lorry near a fuel filling station at Karaliyadda in Theldeniya Police area. The injured driver had been admitted to the Kandy Hospital and succumbed to his injuries during the early hours on March 03. Four suspects had been taken into custody and been remanded.

“In retaliation to this incident a group of rioters had set two shops, one belonging to a Muslim, on fire on the night of March 04.

“Police had taken action to bring the situation under control and deployed police patrolling and STF personnel to prevent clashes. Theldeniya police nabbed 24 persons responsible for the riots and they were produced before Theldeniya Magistrate today (6) and ordered to be remanded till March 19.

“Riots erupted on Monday day time and rioters had damaged four shops and two mosques in the area. Police curfew was imposed in Kandy administrative district from Monday evening till 6 am Tuesday. Police curfew is still in force in Pallekele and Theldeniya police areas.

“A body of a 24-year-old  who had been burnt to death was found in a shop which had been set on fire at Kengalla in Digana this morning.

The National Security Council met on Monday evening. Instructions had been issued to police and tri forces to be ready to face any untoward incident, restore normalcy in the areas affected by riots and to take maximum action against those responsible for riots.

“I contacted public representatives, religious leaders, IGP, Chief of Defence of Staff over the phone last night and issued instructions to bring the situation under control.

“We as a government condemn these violent activities. We as a responsible government have no way to approve these illegal and violent activities. All of us having  experience a 30-year-long war are aware of the value of peace and harmony.

Some of those who driven by political power hunger are trying to make use of incidents of this nature and it could be seen that they are planning the disruption of normalcy and instigating communal violence. The only trump card they have is instigating racial violence. It is their wish to see that violence and racism spread all over the country and to make use of that crisis to win power. It could be seen that organized efforts are being made to spread racism and communal disharmony through social media.

 One such group had been campaigning on social media during the past nine months that Muslims are threatening the Sinhala supremacy in the land. They have produced false statistics. This group has been identified for propagating racism for a long period of time. Majority of this country are Sinhala Buddhists. We are bound to protect the heritage of Sinhala Buddhists. The Sinhala Buddhist heritage or rights are not threatened by anyone. There are other communities living here as Sri Lankans. All Sri Lankans should  live in harmony and enjoy equal rights. That was the vision of DS Senanayake. We protect that vision. Therefore we regret the damages done to the Muslim religious places.

(CK)