Amid claims of rising religious tensions created by Sinhala hardliners, a group led by a Buddhist monk has allegedly attacked the “Living Water'” Pentecostal church in Meegoda during while the church service was underway.
Police are reportedly investigating the complaint although no arrests have been made so far. Details of the investigation will however be presented before the Homagama Magistrate today.
Devotees say the attackers had arrived at the church about an hour after the service had begun, assaulted worshipers and damaged property. Two people have been hospitalised after sustaining injuries during the attack. The devotees say the attackers arrived by vehicle and claim they could identify the Buddhist monk who accompanied the mob if asked.
Photo courtesy AzzamAmeen
Thiru / September 9, 2013
There they go again with religious harmony in Mahinda Rajapakse’s lips!
When will vandalizing Hindu, Muslim and Christian churches stop?
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Sumith / September 9, 2013
As MR says these are international conspiracies….
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Damma Asoka / September 9, 2013
BBS should first identify and attack the DRUG DEALERS and Casino kings who are spreading crime, social evils and bad morals, rather than churches which keep people on the right path…
Balu Sena’s leader Gota has been having a romance with Pakistani Drug Dealers who have taken his invitation to turn Lanka into a HUB for drug dealing seriously. The drug and casino gambling social menace promoted by Rajpassa is far more serious than churches.
THe Rajapassa regime has also let liquor companies that have not paid taxes renew their licences, instead of shutting them down and ceasing their assets. The liquor will be distributed to people on the day of provincial council voting to get votes for the UPFA.. What a circus this debacle of Asia!
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Royston / September 10, 2013
[Edited out] sorry Damma asoka you are right, Rajapakse’s are counting millions while the foolish poor people are shouting Jayawewa.
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Amarasiri / September 9, 2013
Thiru,
Where is the CORE Problem?
Buddham Saranam Gacchami- The Triple Gem by IndiaJiva
The Monk is the Third Gem!
Sinhala Buddhist Monk Hegemony and Frustration in the Modern Age. It is spilling into the greater society.
1. Buddhist Monks are NOT allowed to Marry.
It was all right in 500 BC, but today with more than a million X rated web sites and all the U tubes, these guys are frustrated.
So Buddhism needs to be reformed like the Catholic Church, done by Martin Luther in 1521.
Buddhists need a new Martin Luther.
They need to be married. have families, children, have responsibilities and become model citizens.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/hecker/wheel273.html
Shortly before the Buddha died, Ananda asked him a question concerning women: “How shall we relate to women, Master?” — “Do not look at them.” — “But if one sees one, Master?” — “Do not address her.” — “But if one talks to us?” — “Keep mindfulness and self-control.” (DN 16)
The philosophy of 500 BC is too archaic, like the Wahhabi and Taliban philosophy of 1,400 years ago.
Buddhism The Great Evil — Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNOfTGSADdY
Buddhism The Great Evil — Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clcs2PSze0I
The Monk is the Third Gem! Amazing
Buddham Saranam Gacchami- The Triple Gem by IndiaJiva
DeJa Vu.
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Lapatiya / September 9, 2013
In the near future Sri Lanka will be a 100% Pure Rajapaksha Singhala Buddhist Country.
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clown / September 9, 2013
Thats what previous rogue president Ranasinghe premadasa wanted to do too.Did he suceed? NOPE.
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Rooster / September 9, 2013
Ranasinghe Premadasa wasnt a racist.
He treated all religions equally and he was a good Buddhist.
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gamini / September 10, 2013
Rooster, absolutely. Premadasa treated all Religions equally. He went from Church to Mosque to Kovil to Temple dressed in white with a tray of white flowers in hand, while killing scores of people including Senior UNPers. He acted as Mr. Clean and even engaged the services of Bradmon Weerakoon to write an autobiography for himself. However a better read was the book ‘What Bradmon Weerakoon did not write’.
This country was Criminalized with Violence first by Rohana Wijeyweera followed by Premadasa and now continued by MR.
So your claim that Premadasa was a good Buddhist, My Foot!
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Goraka / September 9, 2013
Lapatiya, sure. 100% pure Sinhala Buddhist Sri Lanka flowing with alcohol and drugs with lots of gambling and saffro thugs running the country and politicians screwing the country. The miracle of Asia is already here!
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Rev.Devil / September 9, 2013
The War Lords can not sleep without the sounds of bullets and war planes. They hate the winds of peace and harmony among people, they always love bloodshed and hatred among them. They hate the world demanding accountability for their past crimes. So they desperately need another bloody war to dodge from the encircling waves of cry for justice.
They shall find it happen sooner, for we are being ruled by war mongers.
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kris / September 9, 2013
This is to discredit buddism some paid goons work,LTTE diaspora may be behind this attack
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peacelover / September 9, 2013
dont try to put the blame on others,
gnanasara is behind this attack, the pig head should be slaughtered and then we will have peace in this country,
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Rev.Devil / September 9, 2013
Kris !! You are walking upside down. Your Master Gota is in front of you naked !! The first thing you see is a tail !! So…no wonder… you see a Tiger !!?
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Palayang yako! / September 10, 2013
Kris:
Just because we don’t have too many horses in SL is no reason for you to put on the pages of CT what comes out of the south end of a north-bound horse!
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Fairose / September 9, 2013
These monks were jeolous that sexy girls of the area are going to the church not to the temple. Conflict of interest.
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Sena / September 9, 2013
ya, I agree, first they must be settled in marriage and that’s their problem I suppose. When I see Buddah, he looks strange to me nowadays! – because of these buggers!
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Palayang yako! / September 10, 2013
Fairose:
You are wrong. Girls are the wrong sex for the Balu Sena monks.
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Park / September 9, 2013
Rajapakse’s government is the only one which can protect all religions…statement by the President… where are you Mr. President? Praying three times a day?
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Jim softy / September 9, 2013
How can Rajapakse’s protect anything when Churches are aggressive and intrusive ?
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gamini / September 10, 2013
Jima kohomada Kiss Eka?
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Sandy / September 10, 2013
Churches aggressive and intrusive-how so?
on the contrary our brothers and sisters were assaulted while at worship, and their church vandalized –
Who then, is the aggressor?
“Who shall separate us from Christ’s Love?
shall trouble or hardship or persecution?
…nothing will be able to separate us from the Love of God
in Christ Jesus our LORD ” (Romans.8)
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Dhaksha / September 9, 2013
Sri Lanka as we knew it, where neighbors lived in peace, respected each other’s religion, accepted the differences, and felt we were all one, is no more. The insecurity of extremists in the majority, and the violence against innocent minorities, ALL condoned by the ruling family, has spoilt this country forever. The next generation will suffer the consequences. To allow extremists and thugs to hijack Buddhism, and then blame international elements while they do nothing, is unacceptable and lame.
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justice / September 9, 2013
Why such hate against peaceful worshippers of a religion is difficult to understand. Hundreds of such attacks have not been investigated.
Monks have led most attacks.
Noone dares to retaliate against monks nor arrest them.
This has increased their boldness.
Recently,the statue of the deity at the Badrakali Amman temple in Dambulla has been taken out and smashed.
Hatred against other religions was not preached by Lord Buddha.
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Jim softy / September 9, 2013
Churches are trying to destroy the Sinhala _buddhist civilization.
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aratai / September 10, 2013
Exactly…and these churches are funded by LTTE rump.
We must promote that Monk to a Brigadier.
:-)
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justice / September 10, 2013
aratai,
There are buddhist,hindu,muslim and sikh chaplains in the british armed forces,in addition to the christian chaplains.
So far,our government has not appointed buddhist chaplains in the armed forces.
If this had been done,many attacks led by monks and ignored by police and army may not have occured.
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David Blacker / September 10, 2013
You mean Sinhala Buddhists are civilized?
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Sangakkara / September 10, 2013
Sinhala Buddhist civilisation = killing and destroying those who do not agree !
Wake up ! there was never a sinhala buddhist civilisation. Even our ancestors came from India !!!!!
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Kossa / September 11, 2013
Yes, churches were established as part of a foreign conspiracy to hurt Sri Lanka…you moron, don’t you have any self-respect and don’t you feel ashamed sucking up to masters that do not even appear masterly!
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John / September 9, 2013
This regime has tarnished Buddhism that no government has ever done. They use the religion for their survival hence ignor these ugly incidents. No one gives a seat or stand up when they see a monk. This is a sad state. Politicians wake up bring laws to prohibit religious leaders getting involved politics if u wish to save Buddhism in SL.
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ela pora / September 9, 2013
i can’t see any damage in this picture. these are all fabricated and exaggerated bull shit
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Jayantha / September 9, 2013
Wonder who is running our country. Where is Parliament and what is the President doing. Where is our Police protection force. Is this part of a big plan to divide the country on Racial, Religion lines.
This is no difference to Terrorism. What these racist terrorist Buddhist monks plan to achieve.
Nobody has any right to vandalise other Religions spiritual Churches of worship. These churches are the only solace and healing that bring peace to people who are looking for spiritual healing to their day to day life.
Government should immediately bring a stop to these murderous acts and immediately arrest and punish the culprits who are again looking for 1983 progrom, and bring justice to victims.
Remember no Justice…..no peace.
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hannah.rajaratnam / September 9, 2013
Seing pics and hearing of incidents and later seing budhist monks led hooligans and thugs in ’58,’77,79 and ’83 I called them TERRORISTS.
They all terrorised the Tamils.
These are the children of the terrorist of those years.
Can there be others who have joined the gang?
Todays young priests and samanalayas could be illegal kids of these monster Terrorist monks.
The temples should be cleand out.Start afresh.
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Bedrock Barney / September 10, 2013
You are used to domestic work no? why don’t you start the cleanup.
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Taliban Jack / September 10, 2013
This is nothing but pure Hate crime.400 Budhisht
Temples are closing there is no monks and no devotees
To the temple.look at the reality. How many so called Budhisht
Goes to the temple even on a Poya day? Please
No offence to my Sinhalese brothers and sisters.breaking Mosques
And Churches don’t give a good impression for
Other religious people about Buddhism.
Please perform what Lord Buddha preach you.
I am a Muslim is it a crime I go to Mosque everyday
5 times to Pray? Is it a crime me Praying on the street
In Sri Lanka On Fridays b cos I have no space
In my Mosque filled up with devotees? Is it a Crime Christians
To their church and pray? Is it a crime Hindus close a street for their
Festivals ? Grow up people. Now pls don’t come say that Inside Vatican or Mecca not allowing
Sinhalese to Worship Buddha ! Cos there is no Saudi Arabian origin Sinhalese
Or no Vatican of Sinhalese Orgin.
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Bedrock Barney / September 10, 2013
Nothing like persecution to make Christians stronger. History is rife with people burning Christians etc. Yet they flourish and get new coverts everyday. The fact that a Buddhist monk had to physically attack a church says a lot about who is winning. Who is losing their religion?
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gonbella / September 10, 2013
I say there is something rotten about our Sinhala mentality that we have even perverted a religion like Buddhism.
Our Sinhala psyche is immersed in violence and just like every bully we became subservient to a greater bully like the Brits when they descended to rule Sri Lanka. When the Brits left the weak bully has resurfaced. Our crass Sinhala race does not know what peaceful coexistence is. 2500 years of immersion in Buddhism has not made an iota of difference to our bloodthirsty heritage.
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Ex Atheist / September 10, 2013
IT WAS A MONK WHO LED THE ATTACK! SUCH PEOPLE MUST BE DEROBED AND NEVER ALLOWED TO BE “MONKED” AGAIN. THEY ONLY WANT TO TARNISH THE IMAGE OF BUDDHISM, AND GROUPS LIKE BBS WITH THEIR LEADER GOTA ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS CRIME – NOT ANY TRULY DEVOTED BUDDHISTS.
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AYMAN / September 29, 2013
WHEN GNANASARA IS DISROBED HE WILL LOOK AN “ORANGUTANG”
HE IS ALREADY ACTING LIKE ONE.
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Spring Koha / September 10, 2013
Eeeeasy Gonbella, to be fair there a many Sinhalese – buddhists and others – who are just and decent but without the balls to stand up and put a stop to this madness. Truth is there is a hardcore rump of Sinhala-Buddhists who are vengeful, spiteful and racist who have their prejudices fanned by those who thrive on managed chaos and are happy to allow matters to be to serve their purpose. Good God, please send us someone, soon, to exorcise this national curse?
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HL Seneviratne / September 10, 2013
Gonbella is right. We had civilized government during British times. Now Jatika Cintanaya has come back. Buddhism never touched our culture. Our Buddhism was and is only a ritualism, That’s why the president thinks he is a Buddhist because he worships three times a day.
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Suranee / September 10, 2013
Another church attack and so it begins again.
It’s high time the Christian authorities make some changes such as:
1. Only accept children into Christian schools if one or both parents are Christians.
2. Stop visiting homes of non-Christians to preach Christianity and convince them to convert(this is especially for all you Pentecost followers).
3. Only allow non-Christians to enter the church if they have permission from their religious leaders.
4. Install security cameras and have security personnel to guard the churches to prevent non-Christians from abandoning their babies and children at the church premises and destroying church property and harassing the Fathers, sisters and worshipers.
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CSM / September 10, 2013
OK
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gamini / September 10, 2013
It is very unfortunate that this type of people did not live during King Davanampiyatissa’s time. For certain they would ave prevented Buddhism taking root in this country.
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gamini / September 10, 2013
Contd.
Thus we would have been spared of all the agony we go through today.
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peris / September 10, 2013
BAN THIS FUCKING BODUBALA SENA
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ela pora / September 12, 2013
[Edited out]
We are sorry, the comment language is English – CT
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Karikalan / September 10, 2013
BBS,
Your not harming the Christians by breaking their church
Your not harming the Muslims by breaking their mosques
Your are destroying the image of Buddhism
Go ahead make all Buddhist shame for ur act
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CSM / September 10, 2013
They have ears but can not hear. they have eyes but can not see
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Kapuwata Dummala / September 10, 2013
Some say, before things gets better it has to become worse.
So let us have more BBS, Sinhala Ravaya, Ravana Balaya and the whole jing bang of balaya’s together with Gota , Gona and the likes running riots in the country.
They will do enough damage to Buddhism in Sri Lanka, No body will want to be a Buddhist anymore.
Problem solved. Sri Lanka no more a Buddhist Majority country. Peace at last.
The trouble makers will kill each other and self destruct.
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Kossa / September 11, 2013
I like your logic..in fact this is already happening. All decent Buddhists want their kids in Christian schools and only the poor soldier families want to get into Defence Kids College…
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Peace Lover / September 10, 2013
oh nothing new as the monks ‘sri lankan ones’ are doing just what they are supposed to do,who cares about what Buddhism teaches as these rascals wont even know them
way to way monks way to go at this rate you wont need an external enemy to destroy sri lanka as your doing a damm good job of it
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gamini / September 10, 2013
At last the Americans have achieved what they commenced by sending Henry Steel Olcott to Destroy Buddhism by none other but by the Buddhists themselves. What Strategy and Intrigue?
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I am no muslim / September 11, 2013
Good that buggers like you live in a cold damp basement till death take you to the Purgatory.
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gamini / September 11, 2013
What bloody Nit wits, who believe in Heaven and Hell expecting us to end up in Purgatory, believing they will end up in Heaven. On the contrary I live in very good comfort and in perfect health, compared to these SOBs who claim to be No Muslim, as if anyone cares whether he is one or not.
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Mahela / September 10, 2013
These are not isolated incident, but well planned political, racial and religious sabotage.
Hope there are video camera recordings available on this incident.
It’s time both Christian Churches and other minority Religions form their own Vigilante groups.
Don’t expect anything or any protection from Police or Rajapakse Government.
Inform UN, UNHRC, CW, CHOGM and International Lawyers body on this incident.
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Jayantha / September 11, 2013
I personally know how many of these churches organised Blood Donation Campaigns during the hight of war.
Also these churches donated various items and money to Ranaviru campaign, war veterens fund and also to the war refugees.
Therefore I wonder if this is the treatment that these Buddhist Monks give them for their generocity.
It is a total mystry how the clergy who are there to preach spirituality is harassing their own brothers who are doing the same thing to society.
This is totally unacceptable and should be stopped immediately.
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nilu / September 11, 2013
where are the.. so called buddist leaders where the polical leaders who goes to get blessings..to the dalada maligawa..why those people know exactly what nala sena doing.. all are silent
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Ranil Wijeyesekera / September 12, 2013
These events should not be avoided or swept under the carpet. The media should try to obtain both sides of the story. Often there could be problems created by either or both parties. The law should be amended where necessary to prevent reoccurrence and the cases brought into court to sort out alterecations if this is the case. If it is Persecution of other Religions it should not be allowed.
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