`நல்லிணக்க அரசே, பொதுபல-சிவ சேனைகளை உடனே தடை செய்!

NPC's resolution against Buddhist temples not valid:Lanka govt

Press Trust of India  |  Colombo
December 8, 2016 Last Updated at 18:42 IST

Sri Lankan government today said that a recent resolution adopted by the Northern Provincial Council prohibiting the construction of Buddhist temples in the Tamil-dominated North will have no legal standing.

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told Parliament that there were no constitutional provisions for provincial councils to introduce such resolutions and that the government would in no way accept such a resolution.   
 
The Northern Provincial Council (NPC) controlled by the Tamil National Alliance has been expressing opposition to erection of Buddhist religious sites by the military in the north since the war with the LTTE ended in 2009. Tamil Hindus dominate the region.

The NPC Chief Minister CV Wigneswaran took exception to the move by publicly raising opposition.

The extreme Buddhist nationalist groups blamed the government of the President Maithripala Sirisena for not safeguarding the Buddhist religious sites in the former conflict zones in its desire to achieve reconciliation with the Tamil minority.

It was only this week that Sirisena said he was to appoint an all religious steering committee to defuse potential religious unrest created by certain extremist elements representing all religions.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Muslim Ministers demand arrest of aggressive monk
December 8, 2016 14:06

Rishard Muslim Ministers today demanded the arrest of a Buddhist monk who had disrespected Islam.

Minister Rishad Bathiudeen told Parliament that a police complaint was filed against the monk.

However he said the monk continues to be part of discussions being held by the Government with no legal action being taken against him.

State Minister M. L. A. M. Hizbullah also questioned what action will be taken against the monk.
He said that a joint letter by Muslim Parliamentarians raising concerns over threats being faced by Muslims in the country was sent to the President and Prime Minister.

He said the Bodu Bala Sena continues to make statements disrespectful to Islam and action must be taken against them.

Hizbullah also warned that Muslim leaders will not be able to control Muslim youth if Islam continues to be disrespected in the country.

Buddha Sasana Affairs and Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that the Government is looking to resolve the recent issues through dialogue.

He said that President Maithripala Sirisena had a discussion with religious leaders this week in an attempt to ensure religious unity.

Rajapakshe said that when an attempt is being made to resolve the issue, representatives of the public must support such attempts.

He accused some Muslim Ministers of attempting to incite more racial hatred instead of attempting to resolve the issue. (Colombo Gazette)
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Minister visit Batticaloa to discuss and settle the religious dispute
Thursday, December 8, 2016 - 16:00
 
Sandasen MARASINGHEDisna Mudalige and Ishara Mudugamuwa

Buddha Sasana and Justice Minister
Dr. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa said he would visit Batticaloa to discuss and settle the religious dispute that has been cropped up in the area.

He made this comment in response to a question raised by TNA MP S. Viyalendran during the committee stage of the debate of ‘Budget 2017’ in Parliament today.

The TNA MP asked the Justice Minister why the government was not taking action against Ampitiye Sumanarathana Thera of Sri Mangalarama Viharaya in Batticaloa, for his recent abusive remarks against the Tamils and Muslims.

The Minister had replied that he was aware of the incident and that he regretted its occurrence: “It is not that we cannot implement the law strictly against such acts.

But knowing the sensitivity of these issues, we are trying our best to iron out any mistrust between the communities through negotiation,” the Justice Minister said.

“We will come there and I invite you all to be there as well. Do not misunderstand. We are worried as much as you all about these incidents that damage the national unity.

However, we act with restraint to make sure that these problems do not propagate,” he told the TNA MP.

The Minister in his speech also said the four ministers holding portfolios relevant to religion were sitting as a committee to discuss about the recent religious tensions in the country:
“We have been meeting all the religious leaders with the President in the chair and we will come up shortly with a suitable mechanism deal with these issues, ” he said.