In response to the attack on the Masjid Deenul Islam at Grandpass , today 208 Sri Lankans issued the statement below;
We the undersigned strongly condemn the violent and unprovoked attack on the Masjid Deenul Islam in Grandpass area on Saturday, August 10, 2013 by an extremist mob injuring 12 people, in the wake of the Eid Festival.
We are outraged over the spate of violent attacks against Christian and Muslim places of worship, and remain deeply concerned about the rise of extremist rhetoric around the island.
Grandpass Muslim Prayer Centre attack
While recognising and promoting the constitutionally guaranteed rights of free speech, religious worship, and assembly, we urge all communities to respect the religious beliefs – and the associated rights – of their fellow citizens, and to not be influenced by State-condoned Buddhist extremists groups.
At this time, we also wish to express our deep disappointment at the lack of concrete outcomes from inquiries into multiple other attacks against places of worship that have occurred in the recent past.
We are extremely disheartened at the silence and the visible apathy displayed by the Government and the Mahanayake Theros of the Tri-Nikayas, at a time when the rights to religious worship and assembly of its citizens are being threatened by extremism. We also wish to highlight apparent State complicity, and the level of impunity repeatedly granted by the State to extremist elements in the country.
We urge law enforcement authorities to ensure strict adherence to rule of law and prosecute those who are responsible for these heinous crimes, in the existence of abundant evidence put forward by both the public and the media. In addition, we are very disturbed to see continued Police inaction and delays in responding to incidents of racist mob violence, which is a clear indication of State complicity, and the lack of any interest by Defense Authorities to hold perpetrators accountable.
We welcome and endorse the open letter of protest by Muslim members of the Government addressed to the President of Sri Lanka, and share their view that “the lukewarm and ineffective measures taken by the law enforcement agencies on previous occasions, when Muslim communities and their mosques were deliberately attacked, seem to have emboldened some extremist groups who seem determined to create chaos in the country that is still in search of national reconciliation after a prolonged war.”
Further, we call on the Government to investigate into and hold accountable those responsible for the brutal killing of three youth in Weliweriya earlier this month, when the State sent in the military to quell a civilian protest calling for clean water.
In light of reports of media suppression and violence against media personnel reporting from the scene, we strongly urge law enforcement authorities and the protestors to respect the freedom of the press, and to take all measures to ensure their safety.
We wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured in this attack, and commend the calm resilience demonstrated by many of those who were victimised.
Signatures;
- A.H. Stephen – Deputy Secretary General, Liberal Party of Sri Lanka
- A.M. Faaiz – Attorney-at-Law
- A.S. Mohamed Rayees
- Ainslie Joseph – Convenor, Christian Alliance for Social Action (CASA)
- Aisha Ajmal Wahab – Student
- Aisha Nazim
- Ajmal Wahab – Partner, Bullion Exchange Jewellers
- Amal de Chickera
- Amar Gunatilleke
- Ameena Hussein
- Anandi Devendrakumary
- Anberiya Hanofa
- Anitha Selvarajah
- Ann Jabba
- Anoma de Alwis
- Antonio A. Oposa Jr. – (Philippines)
- Anukshi Jayasinha
- Anushya Coomaraswamy
- Ayeshea Perera
- Azra Abdul Cader
- B. Gowthaman
- Balasingham Skanthakumar
- Bannu Ifthikar
- Bhathiya Waduge – Director/Structural Engineer, CSE Consultants (Pvt) Ltd.
- Bhavani Fonseka
- C. Gadiewasam – Journalist
- Cayathri. D.
- Chamindry Saparamadu
- Chandra Jayaratne – Former Chairman, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
- Chandraguptha Thenuwara
- Chandralal Colombage
- Cheran Rudhramoorthy
- Chulani Kodikara
- D.B.S. Jeyaraj – Journalist
- Damaris Wickremesekera
- Danesh Casie Chetty – Ambassador (Retd.)
- Deanne Uyangoda
- Devika – Colombo
- Dinesha Samararatne – University of Colombo
- Dinidu de Alwis
- Dinouk Colombage – Journalist
- Dr. A.M. Ali Saja – Doctor
- Dr. Anita Nesiah – National Peace Council (NPC)
- Dr. Danesh Karunanayake – Senior Lecturer, University of Peradeniya
- Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka – Former Ambassador to the UN in Geneva
- Dr. Leonie Solomons – Social Entrepreneur
- Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan – Development Economist & Principal Researcher, Point Pedro Institute of Development
- Dr. Neavis Morais – Senior Lecturer, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu
- Dr. Ranil D. Guneratne – University of Colombo
- Dr. Sepali Kottegoda
- Dr. Shamala Kumar – University of Peradeniya
- Dr. T. Jayasingam – National Peace Council (NPC)
- Dr. Vagisha Gunasekara – Senior Research Professional, Centre for Poverty Analysis
- Dr. Vivimarie VanderPoorten Medawattegedera – Senior Lecturer, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Dr. Zulfika Ismail
- Emil van der Poorten
- Faizun Zackariya
- Freddy Gamage – Meepura Newspaper/Center for Peoples Dialogue
- Furkhan Bee Ifthikar
- G.S. Lakshan J.S. Dias
- Gamini Viyangoda
- Gavin Britto – Co-Founder, RuCode International
- Harean Hettiarachchi
- Harini Amarsuriya – Open University of Sri Lanka
- Harith de Mel – Attorney-at-Law
- Hashintha Jayasinghe – Graduate
- Herman Kumara – National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO)
- Hilary Perera Wirasinha – DoC
- Hilmy Ahamed
- Ifthikhar Aziz – President, Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship Association
- Isuru Perera – Social Research Supervisor
- Jake Oorloff
- Janaki Jayawardena – University of Colombo
- Jansila Majeed
- Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala – Women and Media Collective
- Jayatilaka Kammallaweera
- Jehan Perera – National Peace Council (NPC)
- Jehanki Anandha
- Jeyachithra Selambaram
- Joe William
- Joel Fernando – Business Development Manager, Insu Trading International
- Juwairiya Mohideen
- K. Aingkaran – Attorney-at-Law
- K.S. Ratnavale – Attorney-at-Law
- Kath Noble
- Krishna Velupillai
- Kumudini Perera
- Kumudini Samuel
- Kusal Perera – Journalist
- Lakshan Dias – Attorney-at-Law
- Leila Udayar
- Liyanage Amarakeerthi
- Lucia Nicholas
- M. Rahman – Mannar
- M.A. Sumanthiran – Member of Parliament & Attorney-at-Law
- M.H. Mohamed Hisham
- Mahaluxumy Kurushanthan – Mannar
- Mahendran Thiruvarangan
- Mala Liyanage – Executive Director, Law and Society Trust
- Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema – Journalist/President, Sri Lanka Journalists’ Trade Union (SLJTU)
- Mano Ganesan – Convener, Civil Monitoring Commission (CivilMC)
- Manouri Pieris – Attorney-at-Law
- Marianne David
- Mario Gomez
- Marisa de Silva
- Mathuri Thamilmaran – Attorney-at-Law
- Melani Manel Perera
- Melisha Yapa
- Menaha Kandasamy
- Michael O’Leary – Freelance Writer
- Michelle Pinto
- Minna Thaheer
- Mirak Raheem
- Mohammed Ajiwadeen – Research Officer/Parliament of Sri Lanka
- Mohammed Mahuruf – Secretariat for Muslims
- Muzzammil Cader – SAMADANA/M, Centre for Promoting Non Violence, Conflict Resolution & Peace Building
- Nadeesh Jayasinghe
- Nalliah Kumaraguruparan Ashokbharan – Law Student
- Nigel Nugawela
- Nilshan Fonseka
- Nimalka Fernando – Women’s Political Academy (Sri Lanka)
- Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri
- Nirmanusan Balasundaram
- Nishelli Perera – Senior Strategy Analyst
- P.A.R. Anuruddha
- P.N. Singham
- Padmika Dissanaike
- Padmini Weerasooriya – Mothers and Daughters of Lanka
- Prabu Deepan
- Priti Sudra
- Priya Thangarajah
- Prof. Kumar David
- Prof. M. Sitralega
- Prof. Navaratna Bandara
- Prof. Priyan Dias – University of Moratuwa
- Sumanasiri Liyanage – Principal (Retd.), Marx School
- Pushpalatha Paramasivam
- R.M.B. Senanayake – National Peace Council (NPC)
- Raashid Riza
- Raghu Balachandran
- Rajaluxmi Visvasam
- Rajani Chandrasekaran – Jaffna
- Rajiva Wijesinha – Member of Parliament
- Ramla Ajmal Wahab – International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES)
- Remo Shihan
- Renton de Alwis – Former Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism
- Rev. Dr. Jayasiri Peiris
- Rev. Fr. Jeyabalan Croos
- Rev. Fr. Nandana Manatunga
- Rev. Fr. Reid Shelton Fernando
- Rev. Fr. S. M. Praveen (OMI)
- Rev. Fr. Sebamalai
- Rev. Fr. Sherard Jayawardane
- Rev. Fr. Terrence Fernando
- Rev. Fr. V. Yogeswaran – Centre for the Promotion & Protection of Human Rights (CPPHR), Trincomalee
- Rev. Jason J. Selvaraja – Assembly of God, Chavakachcheri
- Rev. Sr. Deepa Fernando (HF)
- Rev. Sr. Helen Fernando
- Rev. Sr. Immaculate de Alwis
- Riza Yehiya
- Rohana Ratnayake – Senior Lecturer in Law, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Roshni Alles
- Ruki Fernando
- Rushdi Jaleel Khan
- Ruvan Weerasinghe – University of Colombo
- Ruzaina Mahuruf
- S.A.M. Jabir
- S.C.A. Obeyesekere
- Safana Gul Begum
- Sahan Mendis
- Saliya Pieris – Attorney-at-Law
- Sampath Samarakoon
- Sanja Jayatilleka
- Sanjaya Senanayake
- Selyna Peiris – Attorney-at-Law
- Shanthini Kanapathy
- Shariz Faleel – Manager – Finance & Administration, Secretariat for Muslims (Guarantee) Ltd
- Sharni Jayawardena
- Shiromalee Perera
- Shreen Saroor – Women’s Action Network
- Shri Shankar Subramaniam
- Shyamala Gomez
- Shyara Jaleel Khan
- Siritunga Jayasuriya – General Secretary, United Socialist Party
- Sivamohan Sumathy
- Srinath Perera – Attorney-at-Law
- Subashini Ramesh
- Sulakshani Perera
- Sunanda Deshapriya – Journalist
- Sunil Jayasekera
- Supipi Jayawardena – Researcher & Lecturer
- Swarnalatha Subramaniam
- Tehani Ariyaratne
- Thahir Kubais
- Thajun Mohamed Nishan – One Text Initiative
- Thanuka Nandasiri – Attorney-at-Law
- Thiruni Kelegama
- U.L. Jaufer
- Upali Pannilage – Senior Lecturer, University of Ruhuna
- Upeksha Thabrew
- Upul Wickramasinghe
- V. Jokeswaran – Teacher
- V.S. Ganesalingam – Attorney-at-Law
- Vanie Simon
- Venuri Perera
- Visaka Dharmadasa – Association of War Affected Women
- Wasaam Ismail
gonbella / August 15, 2013
I salute all you brave souls for putting your name down in this petition. Beware the white van may come a calling at your homes or places of work.
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Candle holder / August 15, 2013
You threatening or being cynical? Bear in mind, the original white van kingpin is now afraid to even consider this option…too much crap has already accumulated in his pants..this is called fate catching up. This is why Balu Balas and Gonasaras have been deployed in proxy…signs of a failing whale! After DIG Vaas’s debacle and embarassmen and Deshapriya’s sudden exposure, even the brass except the 4-star will fear to follow such orders…after all tehy would not even get a visa outside and if they did they would be detained and persecuted…so your “white van” talk is not a joke nor does it bring the fear it did once. There is always a first wave, now even the army gets attacked by the crowd!
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Lanka Liar / August 15, 2013
Passenger list for white van
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Wyatt K / August 15, 2013
Thank you for getting on board with this all signatories.
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Safa / August 15, 2013
The basic right of religous freedom is under threat in Sri Lanka. The bodu extremist insist that their permission is required for people to say their prayers, worship and learn their religon even in private on privately owned properties. What kind of law is this? The rule of the thugs and fanatics? We expect the Govt to take some action on this.
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Amarasiri / August 15, 2013
Add Amarasiri to this list
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Amarasiri / August 15, 2013
Somebody start an on-line petition as well.
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tasil samarasinha / August 15, 2013
this is good idea
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Sensible / August 15, 2013
If the government is unable to control this open assault, does it mean that the government is incompetent and failed on its fundamental duty of law and order. is it time for the citizens to call on the government to resign?
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C. Wijeyawickrema / August 15, 2013
This a good list of Sri Lanka’s black-white crowd who ignore facts and go to any extent to destroy Sinhala Buddhist heritage. They are prompted by caste, Marxism, Christian religion, Wahabism Islam, loss of privileges, need to protect new status in a corrupt system etc…
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Parakrama Abeygunawardena / August 15, 2013
I too condemn this attack and wish to place my signature.
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Dinuk / August 15, 2013
This group should do something pro-active and constructive besides restating the obvious!
For instance, draft and submit a BILL ON THE PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF MULTICULTURALISM AND PREVENTION OF INCITEMENT TO RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC HATRED (there is a similar bill in Britain) and lobby the Minister for National Languages and Social Integration to table and have it passed in Parliament.
Today only the Rajapassa regime brings Bills to Parliament and passes the most retroograde Bills – the opposition has done nothing constructive in the Parliament – to build bi-partisan consensus to protect and preserve MULTICULTURALISM which is under attack from Gota the Goon’s DEEP STATE that is consolidating his military dictatorship with funding from the WORLD BANK to the Urban Development Authority run by Defense Ministry – that is shifting out all mosques, churches and kovils from anywhere there is a Bo tree or a racist Buddhist monk sits..
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Dev / August 15, 2013
jehan p
dayan j
rmb s
sunanda d
nimalka f
nimal d
kumar d
sumitharan
pakia s
u gotta b kidding us … these are the faces of destabalizing Sri Lanka and these are the people we are to believe…!!! OMG well done CT
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Anura / August 15, 2013
About 15 Reverends signed this. Where are our Buddhists Theros ? They all are only one sided? No different views …
I know quite a number of Buddhists monks used to see ‘InfoLanka’ web site and they must be reading CT too. Please give us some hope?
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tasil samarasinha / August 15, 2013
please add my name to the list too.
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michael don / August 15, 2013
The usual suspects like Dayan and Nesiah’s who are so good its hard to believe?
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Cromwell / August 15, 2013
When people face grave hardships and have no trustworthy leadership they turn on to religious leaderships. All religious organizations serve the State or the existing governments. Leaders of all these organizations live a very luxurious life ( of course there are few genuine members who live a simple life). These religious groups fight with each other to gain followers and ultimately to get financial benefits. They are fighting for the ownership of their slaves. “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium (or Heroin)of the people”. When one takes Opium/ Heroin one does not know what one is doing.
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WW II Vetaran forger / August 15, 2013
Have any of these signatories verified the facts by listening to the versions of parties involved on the spot? If not, does that point to the level of intelligence in the country at high level including former Ambassadors and Attorney-at-law. At least the latter should know that versions (in this case media versions) is not evidence. Ask the Indian Embassy if you want to know more.
To make the list more credible, some Thumb impressions could be added. A Cinnamon stick cut diagonally pressed in an Ink-pad when transferred to paper makes ideal thumb impressions. That is what village Co-operative Store managers used to get forged Rice Ration Books during World War II and to secure the extra ration on forged ration books home.
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Marwan / August 15, 2013
Gee fingerprints are old stuff, now it is ‘eye capture’. Major airports have it at immigration. You look at a small moving advert from a distance and you are profiled instantly. Welcome to the 21st Century.
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Aney Apochchi! / August 17, 2013
WW II Vetaran forger:
Who would have thought that you were old enough to be a “WW II co=op store manager!”
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Marwan / August 15, 2013
Bravo to all of you. Lets stick together on this for the sake of peace in our motherland. To hell with the politicians. I have no faith in them. Pls Include my name too.
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Fazal Mohd / August 15, 2013
Pse include my name.
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Muz_ham / August 15, 2013
Pls include my name as well
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T Dayalan / August 15, 2013
Please add my name.
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Wyatt K / August 15, 2013
The signers are largely a Who’s Who of Sri Lanka. Many of the names on this list are very prominent persons in Sri Lanka… It is very courageous to step forward in a repressive regime and to do this. You have to give them credit.
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Apple Man / August 16, 2013
A list of fake names…
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SJ Silva / August 17, 2013
I applaud everyone who has signed this petition. It is time for all of us to look forwards not back.
What saddens me is that the Kirupas and Latheef’s of the world who rave and rant about injustice haven’t seen fit to step up and be counted.
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WWII Veteran Forger / August 18, 2013
Ane Appachchita (AA) vechha de!
Why does AA think I was the Coooperative manager? I was not the coop manager but a boy of 11 years then who brought the cinnamon sticks and helped stamp the forgered thumb impressions. AA-Have you even touched a cinnamon stick? High time you got out of this circle.
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Benjamin / August 18, 2013
Pls visit the page ,CT’s
northern Sinhaliztion -important new message included among the comments
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