By Champika Ranawaka –
Champika Ranawaka
It was only in May this year massive anti-Muslim protests were held in central London sending jitters through the spine of David Cameron’s government.
In France and the rest of Europe the Muslim community has come under regular attacks while the Denmark based Stop Islamisation of Europe (SIOE) moved to join hands with similar anti-Muslim groups in France, Germany, Norway, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Russia, Finland, and Sweden.
SIOE also has its support groups in the United States of America where it was only this June a college student was put behind bars for slashing the throat of a Bangladeshi taxi driver in an anti-Islamic frenzy in East Manhattan.
Sri Lanka may not be the best country in the world as regards the treatment meted out to Muslims. Still it is certainly not as bad as the West and all signs are there that, though still stumbling, some progressive steps are being taken to quell ethnic tensions.
Also closer to home, in India, the Kashmiris continue to live in a living hell and the thousands of mass graves found in Indian controlled Kashmir are evidence of a systematic ethnic cleansing which is going on. The latest bout of violence in the region has dashed any hope of redemption.
Amidst all this, the final solution reached over the Grandpass issue affords a beacon of inspiration despite initial hiccups.
Unfortunately the West rushed to fan the flames of ethnic tension even while the moves were made by concerned parties to bring about a solution to the dispute.
The US embassy in Colombo has yet to explain as to why it issued a misleading and an erroneous statement that a mosque in Grandpass had been attacked when the mosque remained intact.
It’s high time that the mission paid a visit to the mosque down Swarna chaitya road which is in close proximity to the Buddhist temple and verified the facts for themselves.
The dispute was over a store, temporary used as a prayer centre in the neighbourhood.
The international rights groups and media in no time picked up the erroneous release by the US embassy and pounced on Sri Lanka. The US owes a reply to Sri Lankans today as to how it’s going to compensate for the damage done to the image of Sri Lanka by the statement.
The Sinhalese and Muslims who live in Swarna Chaitya road area have been leading peaceful lives for decades.
A historic Buddhist temple Jayatilakaramaya is located in the area. In addition to the main temple, down the adjoining lane there’s another Viharaya and a Sinhala medium school.
The mosque is located under a Bo tree near the second temple. However, the existence of a mosque under a Bo tree was never an issue for the Buddhists and the Muslims who co-existed in the area.
The second temple and the mosque, however, had come under the jurisdiction of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) as per an order of 1987. The area had been ear-marked for a housing project by the UDA.
In 2010 a three-storied store was built by a person named Hassan Mubarak in between the two temples, about some 20 metres away from the mosque.
The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), the Divisional Secretariat and Mr. Mubarak himself had admitted the fact that the building was originally constructed for the purpose of storage. Later gradually the place had been used for religious purposes as well. By then the property had been handed over to another party which in turn given it to the mosque trustee.
A circular dated June 21, 2010 issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs banned the conversion of a store to a place of worship and prayers. It makes it mandatory to get the permission of the Divisional Secretariat or the local council for such a purpose.
The tension was created after the Ministry of Religious Affairs violated its own circular in June, 2013 under the influence of a politician and gave permission to use the store for a Sunday school and a mosque.
The green light to convert the store to a mosque while there’s already a mosque a few metres away and both in between two temples, certainly was a decision taken paying scant regard to the ethnic and religious sensitivities in the area.
The unrest in the area forced the Ministry of Religious Affairs to hold a meeting on July 10, with all parties concerned and it was agreed at this meeting that the use of store as a place of worship should be concluded after Ramazan fast. The devotees were advised to pray at the adjoining mosque afterwards.
The move to violate this agreement by continuing the prayers at the store triggered violence on August 10, resulting the store and property belonging to both communities coming under attack. The mosque, however, remained intact and not a single stone was pelted at it. The photos of the mosque taken after the incidents bear witness to this fact.
It came to light at the meeting held at the Religious Affairs Ministry on August 11 that the number of Muslim families in the area had risen from about 80 in 1987 to 400 in 2013. As such a request for a bigger space could be a rational demand. However, what they could have done was to hold talks with the rest of the villages and the temples and reach an amicable settlement as to how to increase prayer space rather than playing into the hands of opportunistic politicians.
At the meeting the Buddhist monks agreed to chop off the Bo tree so that the mosque trustees could use the space for building extensions to the mosque. Also in an unprecedented gesture of religious amity, the monks also invited the mosque trustees to use the temple Dharmasala any time they wanted extra space for prayers.
It is the wish of all peace loving citizens that this religious harmony is preserved and fostered for generations to come and that we in Sri Lanka set an example of religious amity for the rest of the world.
*This article first appeared in Daily Mirror. Champika Ranawaka MP is the current cabinet Minister of Technology, Research and Atomic Energy in the government of Mahinda Rajapaksa
Kshama Ranawana / August 14, 2013
Champika thinks that by speaking of the racist attacks in Western countries and in India, the racist behaviour of some Sri Lankans can be overlooked. In this great big “dharmista” society that the Champika’s and those like him want to “portray” for Sri Lanka, what we see happening is just the opposite.
In the past few years there have been more and more attacks on religious minorities and killing of innocent, unarmed civilians.
Let the leaders of those other countries deal with their problems. The Champika’s should genuinely address the issues in Sri Lanka and enforce true law and order and respect for the “other.” That is how you preserve the dignity of your citizens and keep off outside interference.
justifying your behaviour by pointing out the wrongs elsewhere is not the answer. It is only an excuse to continue bad behaviour.
/
Peace Lover / August 14, 2013
thank you kshama your a true lankan to the core
/
whywhy / August 15, 2013
Kshama
Champicka & Co approach to ethnic minority isuues,
according to their own statements and behaviors
are,HOME GROWN SOLUTIONS BUT WESTERN STYLE ATTACKS!
There’s a silent Buddhist majority that approve and
have an interest in seeing Muslims suffer at their hands.
Look at the comments!Some Buddhist comments that look
favorable to Muslims could really be anti Govt ones
that want this govt to go and not genuine support for
Muslims.BBS & Co definitely represents General Sinhala
sentiments towards Muslims.I don’t mean the innocent,
genuine Sinhala Buddhists leaders,masses and the clergy
who could be few in numbers and really serious about
their name and identity drawn into violence.But unless
they come forward to protect themselves from this racist
rage,they become accomplice.
/
Goraka / August 14, 2013
Don’t thrash US. People are more tolerent towards all religions. After 9/11, during prayers the Christians were guarding our mosque. We do not justify violence against people of any religion. Religion are practised freely here. Even, supermarkets like Wal-mart sells HALAL food whenever they find a sizeable Muslim population in their neighborhood. Freedom to practise religion is part of the US Constitution and THEY MEAN IT.
In Sri Lanka, Buddhists are behaving like non-Buddhists – no compassion, no love but hate.
/
Aney Apochchi! / August 14, 2013
This is a new tactic by this government: getting a grammatically correct (though factually fraudulent) essay by this murderous creep published on CT.
Does anyone remember the quality of English that this b…d displayed when he was writing to the English daily press a while back? It was broken English without equal! He couldn’t then and certainly can’t now produce something like this without the aid of one of the Rajapassa mob’s ghostwriters.
That this racist who was CONNECTED TO CAPITAL CRIMES AT THE UNIVERSITY THAT HE ATTENDED can pretend to be some kind of peacenik is hyprocitical conduct beyond words!
The Rajapassa gang must really be scraping the bottom of their particularly rotten barrel to have to fall back on this b…r!
/
Goraka / August 14, 2013
Where is the courage of these Sinhala Buddhist thugs to attack liquor stores, brothels, casinos, etc?
Picking on the minorities, you thugs!
/
Ian Wood / August 14, 2013
Hate crime on any religion. please note that. what if someone break the Pansala in front of everyone.
/
Imthiyaz / August 14, 2013
Oh my brothers & sisters of Sri Lannkans it’s still great to see that all of you are on the side of the truth May “allha” bless you for “Hidayat” Correct Direction.
/
M.SIVANANTHAN / August 14, 2013
Now the Muslims get the “HEAT” from the Sinhalese. Many Hindu temples were destroyed by Muslims in the EAST. Hindus know them well.
Muslim opportunism will cost them more because they try to fool the world by telling they have no connection with TAMILS. To make the Sinhalese happy, they created untrue stories. They spread lies like “Sri Lanka Muslims are the mixed people of Arabs and Sinhala women”.
But these Muslims first admit they are from Tamil nadu and Kerala. That is why they speak Tamil and study in Tamil.
MUSLIM is not a race. Sinhalese who fight with the Muslims, must realize the mistake of “SEPARATING” Muslims from the TAMILS.
Now Champika is telling a story. Even it is a “store”, why GOTA take legal action against the Muslims who use the store as a Mosque in violation of “URBAN” development rules?
I think the Muslims realized the mistake and got the letter of permission in June 2013 only. Champika tells the letter was given in violation of their own rules. In Sri lanka, “violation of rules” is a culture, national decease and heritage!
/
patriot / August 15, 2013
Come on you fool, you again talking about a lie spreaded by ‘Ponnambalam ponnanathan’.
‘Poonambalam ponna nathan’ did that (exactly what you have said above) to please the Sinhalese. Stupid bootlicker he was then.
You know what?. How do you look like? An African Vadivel?
/
Alan / August 15, 2013
Patriot,
Don’t worry about this M.SIVANANTHAN – because we know him who is he? He tried to change the history of Sri Lanka. He is thinking Sinhalese Buddhists are fool in island…..He is just day dreaming…….nobody bothered about him.
/
M.SIVANANTHAN / August 16, 2013
But you better explain how ARAB + Sinhala =Tamil!
/
Alan / August 16, 2013
Tamil was an ancient language even before the Buddhism. This Buddhism and Sinhala came from India…..the Buddhist Sinhalese are not original Sri lankans. The Bihari language has lot of similarities with Sinhala…..hope you understand……….
/
M.SIVANANTHAN / August 17, 2013
Idiot! No trace of Sinhala in North India anywhere.
Sinhala is resident to Sri lanka only.
/
Alan / August 17, 2013
M.SIVANANTHAN,
You should learn the history properly………sancrit and pali languages are indian languages….same like in europe latin language and eastern europe slavians language………
You tamil bastards destroyed how many muslim mosques. You are talking about muslims destroyed hindu temples.
You Idiot don’t know the history and try to lie around. Don’t think that you can fool easily sinhalese……..You are one of the Racist bastard i have seen here. We know your bloody tamil diaspora. Because LTTE was also funded by Catholic church some time back.
/
M.SIVANANTHAN / August 16, 2013
I look better than you. Why are you crying like a donk? Cant you digest truths?
/
ken robert / August 25, 2013
Siva
It is unfortunate that some of the commentators do not know to differentiate between facts and opinion.
Therefore they try to confuse rather than convince!
/
Patriot / August 16, 2013
You are dead right when you said “Many Hindu temples were destroyed by Muslims in the EAST.” Also you are right when you said “Sri Lanka Muslims are the mixed people of Arabs and Sinhala women.” One only have to look at Muslims to notice the difference between them and the Sinhalas. True again, they are from Kerala.
I say this turning a warehouse to a mosque is a well planed sting operation by Muslims in their project of Sri Lanka transforming to a Muslim country.
/
Pasel / August 14, 2013
If Buddha is alive now he will kill you first because you are disgrace for the religion on top of it you are monk for the benefits shame on you
/
truth_seeker / August 14, 2013
Is this fool really in charge of Technology, Research and Atomic Energy (what atomic energy by the way) in Sri Lanka? I must have been sleeping all through May because I missed this massive anti-Muslim protest in central London this idiot has mentioned. May be he was dreaming about it. True there have been some attacks on Muslims in France and in some Eastern European countries. But they have perpetrated by lowlife thugs like in Sri Lanka and not sanctioned by the government or any religious organisation. In fact despite the killing of a British solider by a fanatic, there were no personal attacks on any Muslims in the country. There were only token attacks on some mosques for few days.
This fool clearly delineates the management style of his government. If there is a dispute between communities then according to him they “could have done was to hold talks with the rest of the villages and the temples and reach an amicable settlement as to how to increase prayer space rather than playing into the hands of opportunistic politicians.” How do you think that talks would have turned out in the current environment? How about as they do in true democracies complain to the authorities before taking the law in to their own hands? So you would rather have people settle their own scores any which way they can than up holding the law though legal avenues?
Also for a government minister this man his overtly racist by saying that Muslim families have increased from 80 to 400. Have they broken any family planning laws by doing this?
If you really want to help all communities the same, all you have to do is to up hold the law and not blame other countries for questioning atrocities happening on your watch. You may have your own bigoted ideas about different communities, but I am sure when you were sworn in as a minister you took an oath to be fair and impartial in the execution of your duties. However, I won’t surprised if you didn’t.
/
Patriot / August 16, 2013
If you count the number of attacks against Muslim mosques and Muslims on religious grounds in Sri Lanka, you will see that they are mostly done by Wahhabi thugs against Muslims moderates like Ahmadiya. All that Saudi trained extremist Wahhabis in Sri Lanka wanted is to force all Muslims in Sri Lanka to their Wahhabi sect first. Bin Laden and Taliban are Wahabis. Early this month, three Wahhabis were found guilty for killing fellow moderates at a mosque riot at Panadura high court.
truth_seeker says there have been some attacks on Muslims in France and in some Eastern European countries. Where was this truth seeker when Al Jazeera reported witha headline “Anti-Muslim march held in UK over killing.” Did truth seeker not read EUobserver report that wrote about ‘Anti-Muslim violence.’
If truth seeker count the numbers of per capita violence against Muslims by Sinhala Buddhists, he will find out it is far below that of the UK and EU. The more we see Muslims are breeding like rabbits I agree that suspicion of Muslim motives and therefore dislike against them are rising fast.
/
Hettiarachchi / August 14, 2013
Prove yourself by contesting alone without hanging onto PA and show your vote base. You will thrown to shit pit!!
/
Jay / August 14, 2013
When Vijaya Arrived from Orissa there were inhabitants on The Island,so The Island Does not belong to Singhalease who are descendents of Vijaya,also Vijaya and his entourage Married Pandian princess.so The Singhala Race is half Tamil.and Buddhism is not a Sri Lankan Religion it Originated in India.like Islam Originated in Saudi Arabia.The Singhalease are not The Indigenous people of Sri Lanka they are settlers like The Muslims.Please get your History straight and Live and Let Live.
/
Merlin Van Tweest / August 15, 2013
Jay,
Please do get your history straight too. Vijaya did not arrive from Orissa but from what is now Gujarat and there are linguistic and genetic links that can attest these statements. According to Spencer Wells the world renowned geneticist humans spread to South India from Sri Lanka. So the original inhabitants of Sri Lanka were the forerunner to South Indians.
It was after several millennia later that the forefathers of present day Sri Lankans arrived in the west of Sri Lanka from Gujarat and the east of Sri Lanka was settled by those from what is now Bengal. The reasons for these migrations are complex and seminal reason being the way the trade winds blow and ocean currents proliferate in and around Sri Lanka.
Even the Portuguese Captain Don Lourenco de Almeda was unwittingly blown to the shores of Sri Lanka in 1505 by these same trade winds many centuries after the forefathers of Sri Lankans arrived. The present day Sri Lankans are a mixture of many races due to many such migrations from East, West and North. Sri Lanka is also an island nation that is smack bang in the middle of trade route from the spice islands of Indonesia to Arabia and Europe beyond, and hence all those who passed through Sri Lanka left their genetic footprint behind. Most medical personnel agree that a wide gene pool is one of the main reasons for resilience against ailments, disease and robustness. In this respect the present day Sri Lankans are different to many mono ethnic nations in the world.
/
ken robert / August 18, 2013
Merlin Van Tweest
The original inhabitants of srilankans were the fore runners to south indians.
Please quote your source.
On the contrary, genetic studies done at kallar community in south india shows they carry an ancient mitochondrial gene indicating the antiquity of south indians.
Present day srilankans arrived from gujarat. Please quote which genetic studies attest this statement?
Some of my countryman trying to decipher the origin of names in srilanka by how they sound in their mother tongue which I think shows their lack of understanding of subject. This could be pardoned. But not your dishonesty!
However I
/
Benadict / August 14, 2013
forget about mosque ,can we allow thugs to attack a store infront of Police officers ? ok if it is not a mosque why they attack saying that it is a mosque . funny minister, he is talking through his ashole
/
Dhaksha / August 14, 2013
This is how Wikipedia describes this writer:
Allegations of racism
In 2008 Ranawaka called the Muslim community in Sri Lanka ‘outsiders’ sparking widespread protests.[5] As a government minister he has spearheaded moves to construct Buddhist temples in predominantly Tamil and Muslim areas leading to an increase in tensions. He used his former post as Minister of Environment to secure land for these constructions. He has publicly stated that all terrorists must be annihilated by any means and that ‘if the law can’t do it then other means must be used’.[6] He has also called for the imprisonment and murder of journalists who questioned the war.
Who the hell are these so called journalists in Sri Lanka? Who are these ‘Tamil Youth’? There are no such people. They are all NGO scum who depend on foreign money.[7]
A racist like this holding a senior post in this government, should be talking about tolerance, neutrality, and harmony among ALL people in this multi cultural country. Instead he sounds like a Buddhist extremist, blinded by ignorance, and hatred, for the minorities in this country.
/
Jim softy / August 14, 2013
Mr. Champika Ranawaka:
Thank you for writing this article.
Most of who have comments here are usual anti-buddhist, anti-Sinhala-buddhist crowd and they are mostly christians, tamils and the NGO crowd.
In Sri Lanka, this conversion of business places to mosques is happening for decades. anti-Sinhala buddhist media crowd never the truth as as it is.
I think the govt should have protected the sri Lankan heritage and ancient sites by legislation. Besides, their should be urban planning and we should know in advance how the city will be looking like in a bird’s eve view. I suppose, the lack of planning and the govt negligence is causing these problems.
Because, in the so-called democratic world also, muslims are trying islamization of the earth. But, it is not easy for them. I heard, in the USA. muslims are only seen and not heard very much. they stay very silent. Not like in Sri Lanka.
In Sri Lanka, both the Christians and muslims want buddhists to behave and live like buddhists so that they can do their expansion unhindered.
/
Fair N Square / August 15, 2013
Sri-lankan Heritage? You mean Buddhist? hello wake up and smell the coffee… Buddhism came to SL FROM….. India… and Buddha was NOT a born Buddhist…
/
Jim softy / August 16, 2013
MOHOMMAD WAS A KILLER,ENGAGED INCEST and WAS A TRADER FROM THE MIDDLE EAST.
He preached this religion in order to consolidate his business.
Quran, though they say it was god’s message, it was written for over 23 years.
Why god was that dumb to take 23 years to give the message ?
/
Alan / August 16, 2013
Good thinking. You are the most intelligent person in the world. Muhammed never wrote the Quran…he was not able to read and write. Quran has written after 200 years after death of Muhammed………..So, why 23 years has taken to preach Quran to Muhammed?? The person who has normal sense he will understand it. Because Muhammed is a human being like you and me…..but he has become a Prophet.
Read this….
http://www.amaana.org/ismailim.html
/
M.SIVANANTHAN / August 16, 2013
Who was Mohamed? A killer, Rapist and robber. Tell us how he killed his step son and raped his wife!
/
Alan / August 16, 2013
Read this….
http://www.amaana.org/ismailim.html
/
patriot / August 15, 2013
Miss Champika, Miss Dilantha Vithanage & Miss Leela are taking tuition from the same Teacher in the same Class. So they all lie the same way, observe the same pattern.
Gnanasra nangi and other soththi Monk nangi also lie but a bit harshly to show that they take tuition form an another teacher.
One thing is common among all of them which is that none of them have balls.
Jimsofty – Do you by any chance read your comments? If so don’t you sound like you are a gone case? I wonder what would happen to you and Dilantha and Gandhasaara when the Gonraja is gone. I wont be surprised if you run behind a UNP, Tamil, Muslim or Christian for cover.
/
Alan / August 15, 2013
Jim softy,
When you stop talking Sinhala Buddhist hegemony and start talk about we are Sri Lankan the country will be in peace. Otherwise including you everybody in this island have to face subsequent violence time to time.
In Europe and USA fast growing religion is Islam…..in UK higher percentage of Christians are converting to Islam compare to other Europe countries. Same in the USA, and more conversion to Islam will happen those countries and nobody can not stop that. In Sri Lanka Muslims never try to preach their religion to non Muslims. So, non Muslims like you many got misunderstand about the truth. Western world has change lot, and they understood the truth, but you guys still living in the 19th century. And you are dreaming that because of you are anti Muslim USA, Israel, Europe will take of you. They may fund you to create ethnic violence but they will never save you from the issues.
/
Jim softy / August 16, 2013
Allan:
You like a muslim.
/
Alan / August 16, 2013
Jim,
I am not supporting the Catholic church hegemony in Europe and Monk hegemony in Sri Lanka. Jim, we are living in 21st century……………Don’t go back to the previous centuries. World war 1,2 was created by church and they have destroyed everything in the worlds previous history. In Future the word war 3 will be created by them too. So, this Balu senas feeded them by too…it is all ground preparation to destroy the world again. Because of their church hegemony is going to failure day by day and Christians are converting to Islam. Who’s fault is this???????
/
I am no muslim / August 14, 2013
BBC and Al Jazeera never reported any of the following Muslim killing Mulims but they were very quick to dramatize incident of a warehouse turned mosque issue that none got killed.
2013.08.13 (Madain, Iraq) – Five Shiites are sent straight to Allah outside their mosque by Sunni bombers.
2013.08.12 (Balad, Iraq) – Two dozen people at a crowded cafe are torn to shreds apart by a Holy Warrior with a suicide vest.
2013.08.12 (Muqdadiyah, Iraq) – Children are among the casualties of a Religion of Peace bomb blast at a playground and soccer field.
2013.08.11 (Ngom, Nigeria) – At least a dozen villagers are massacred by Boko Haram Islamists.
2013.08.11 (Uruzgan, Afghanistan) – Three women and a child are among five civilians exterminated by Taliban bombers.
2013.08.11 (Karachi, Pakistan) – A 12-year-old girl is among three Shiites shot to death on the basis of their sectarian status.
/
Jinadasa Samarakkkody / August 14, 2013
Stop the Islamification of Europe was originally a Danish anti-Islamist group which originated out of the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy.[24] The group was founded in 2007 by Anders Gravers Pedersen, the leader of a small Danish party called the Stop the Islamisation of Denmark (Danish: Stop Islamiseringen af Danmark).[4] On 11 September 2007, the group staged a demonstration in Brussels, Belgium.
Affiliate organisations have been created in 11 European countries including Denmark, Hungary, Russia, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Sweden, as well as the United States of America.[25]
On 11 September 2009, SIOE co-sponsored a demonstration with the English Defence League in Harrow which generated national and international media attention. The purpose of the demonstration was to campaign against the building of a five storey mosque, Harrow Central Mosque, which was under construction.[14] The group had pledged to hold a peaceful protest after the EDL cancelled a planned protest on 29 August 2009.[15][16]
In response to the protest, several Jewish community leaders condemned the group, after SIOE openly appealed to the Jewish community in an effort to encourage 1,000 Jews to carry the Israeli flag and support the protest. Rabbis Kathleen Middleton, Frank Smith, Aaron Goldstein, Hillel Robles and Mike Hilton sent a letter supporting the Harrow Mosque, saying SIOE use “outrageous lies” to try and divide Harrow’s community, adding “As leaders of the Jewish community in Harrow, we are writing to express our support for our Muslim friends and neighbours, especially those at Harrow Central Mosque, who are under attack from those whose only purpose is to spread hatred and fear.” [17] The protests were also condemned by Councillor Susan Hall and Tory councillors Anjana Patel and Jeremy Zeid (who are Hindu and Jewish respectively),[15] by The Jewish Chronicle newspaper, and the Community Security Trust(CST), which monitors discrimination on behalf of the Jewish community in the UK. The CST asserted that SIOE “…provides the fuel for terrorism. British Jews should have no part of it.”[18] Unite Against Fascism was present to oppose the demo, as well as Muslims there to defend the mosque.[19][20][21][22] In all, over 1000 people gathered outside the mosque.[5] Counter demonstrators clashed with the police, throwing bricks, bottles and firecrackers.[19][23] Ten arrests were made during the protests, including the organiser of the protest Stephen Gash.[5]
In September 2009, John Denham, Labour’s Communities Secretary, criticised the group and stated that it was “trying to provoke violence on Britain’s streets” and called it “right-wing”.[5] Unite Against Fascism have opposed the group.[5][19] The British National Party has consistently denied any links with SIOE.[26]
From Wikipedia
/
sudu hami / August 15, 2013
Champika is oozing out with racism… he seems to be justifying the attack instead of condemning the atrocity carried out by the racist goons under the watchful eyes of the police…
/
Fair N Square / August 15, 2013
So the attackers are the victims now? He seems to be trying to potray himself and his racist organization as peaceful…. Oh please….
Fact remains… A mosque was acquired by the UDA using its power, then a makeshift prayer hall was approved for worship by the Buddha Sasana Ministry.. then came the thugs in robes who NOW claim they didn’t know that the Buddha sasana Ministry had given authorization to conduct prayers but took the LAW onto their hands and destroyed a Prayer hall. This Idiot of a Minister conveniently states that NO damage was done to the Mosque and says pictures taken after the incident suggests no damage.. What an idiot, who claimed that the OLD mosque was damaged..? IT’S the 3 storied prayer hall painted in green…( se photo’s or live footage)that was damaged and after seeing the place personally wearing glasses IF he didn’t notice the damage he might be visually impaired…
There is video footage of the prayer hall being attacked and pieces of shattering glass falling could be heard… Whom is he trying to fool? He may fool some people sometime, all the people sometime, NOT all the people ALL the time….He should have watched on youtube before he wrote this stupid article…. “It is better to stay quiet than open ones mouth and confirm your stupidity….” He just proved himself…
/
sudu hami / August 15, 2013
http://www.therepublicsquare.com/briefs/2013/08/12/anti-muslim-violence-in-sri-lanka-the-story-so-far/ what do you have to say about the other island wide attacks mr. ranawaka
/
Irantha / August 15, 2013
Well said sir!!
Only the LTTE peelam supporters and UNP Kalu sudas trying to take advantage out of any incident and try to divide this country.
The only racist are the one’s who reluctant to agree this land is a Buddhist country, where all other religions are practicing for decade without any issue. West and Pheelam idiots trying to take advantage by fabricating stories against innocent srilankan Muslims as that is the easiest way to break the harmony. Statistics shows SL Muslims are the least literate as many stop schooling at very young age. this is the saddest story. We need more people like Champika R, Gotabaya R, type of patriot this hour. ( there are many Tamil and Muslim patriots which i don’t know the full name.)
Muslim Brothers and sisters please think twice before you do anything. BBS is just an another American/ Swedish funded organization. No one could relate all of us to BBS. We are srilankan. lets chase all anti srilankan from this country! Long live my motherland!!
/
Karunathilaka / August 15, 2013
Hon Minister Champika
It’s an excellent articulation in your usual way of expression, why do interweave the article with anti muslim western agendas….it shadows your attitude towards the minorities.
Dear minister if your article means to say about the Grandpass incident; the introduction would have been something related to Grandpass community/their peaceful living /their peace full coexistence …etc
The one who reads the article simply understand what you mean to say regardless of the incident, we hope you will improve your way of expression in future.
/
Pattiye Mukalane Lebbe / August 15, 2013
Whatever Mr. Champika Ranawaka’s stand on national/social issues are, it is sad that none of the comments here look at what he had said on the Grandpass issue and US Embassy rushing to conclusions based on media reports.If there are anything to be contested in it, why not do so? This shows that in this forum, one does not see any view other than the one making the rounds. For the U.S and the West, and their modern acolytes, the pre-Independent India’s Hindu-Muslim riots still form the model. Anything happening around India is looked at that way.The other is that they want to hide what happens in the West by misrepresenting events in other parts. What great defenders of Islam!
/
Responsible Citizen / August 15, 2013
Dear Hon. Minister,
I would like to highlight few comments with reference to your published article;
Firstly, you should educate yourself more on the worldwide anti-Muslim campaigns generated globally. I hope you refer back to the aftermath of the 9/11 attack on US soil, you will find answers which will astonish you. The current acts highlighted in your article are lead up events to this particular event.
However, as stated by the head of state of this island Nation in a global & local platform; “we as a nation will not bow down to Global pressure nor we will act in any such way that will disturb the peace & harmony achieved from a 30 year long civil war”. So I don’t get what you are trying to prove by highlighting these global anti-Muslim Campaigns?
With regard to the US embassy statement, you should check the definition of the words “attacked” & “Destroyed”. So that you could figure out what the embassy was talking about. No point finding solutions post damaging the Image of the Nation, dividing ethnic communities, killing innocent civilians & destroying property. Resolving issues post serious mess is your beacon of inspiration? Is this a conduct of a responsible political leader of the countries governing institution?
Also you have highlighted about getting the proper approval from the relevant government authorities when building & expanding places of worship. I would like to ask you, the places of worship of the majority community in this country, which are build on top or on main & small residential roads in urban areas (where ever you find a space on these roads you will see one or you will see one coming up) are all authorized structured which have the relevant approval.The structures which have come up in urban & multi-ethnic areas where ever the sacred tree of the majority community in this country grows, are these all authorized structured.
I would like to say to you, all citizens of Sri Lanka are peace loving citizens; it’s the political system which will destroy the religious harmony of the nation and show to the world that we are capable of achieving peace, religious amity and the opposite of it too. In deed the world will recognize us as the “Wonder of Asia”
Finally, the personal effort, motivation & Knowledge which you are putting in to destroying the minorities of this nation can be better used to do your job as the Minister of Technology, Research and Atomic Energy so that the nation could move to the future.
Responsible Citizen
/
patriot / August 15, 2013
Commentators seemed to be worried about Islamophobia in Sri Lanka. Read what’s happening right now in Egypt, and feel the real face of Muslims.
International Business Times reported that in Egypt the Churches of Abraham and the Virgin Mary in Menya were burning after Morsi supporters set fire to the outside of the building exteriors and smashed through doors. They have also attacked churches in Dilga and Sohag.
Russia Today reported that at least 1,000 pro-Morsi protesters were involved in the attack before police armed with teargas dispersed them. It reported that Muslim Brotherhood members also threw firebombs at Mar Gergiss church in Sohag, a city with a large community of Coptic Christians who represents up to 6 percent of Egypt’s 84 million people, causing it to burn down, the official MENA news agency said.
Protesters threw molotov cocktails at the Bon Pasteur Catholic Church and Monastery in Suez, setting it ablaze and breaking windows.
/
Alan / August 16, 2013
Patriot,
This article related to Sri lankan issue,not for the egypt or elsewhere. In egypt democratically selected president was arrested and military took over the rule based on the support of USA, Israel, Saudi Arabia etc. Muslims are killing the muslims in egypt…..same thing happened in Sri Lanka 88-89 JVP riots. Thousands of Sinhalese killed by Sinhalese……this is all political war not the religious war. In world war 1, 2 also happened the same thing.
Currently in Sri Lanka is monk hegemony and MARA family wanted rule the country for another decades. So, ground preparations are going on. The person who has brain he should understand this. Majority of citizens of Sri lankans are not supporting to the balu senas that you can point it out from the analysis.
/
Patriot / August 17, 2013
True this article is related to a Sri Lankan issue, but it is directly connected to Muslims and a Mosque. What I am saying is; the riots in Egypt is the result of general Muslim politics the world over and ‘Muslim Brotherhood’ desire to induce Sharia rule of the Koran in particular. It is in that context supporters of ‘Muslim Brotherhood’ started to burned Christian churches.
What happened in Sri Lanka during 88-89 JVP riots is nothing like what’s happening in Egypt. That uprising had been taken place purely on political issues; and therefore no Mosque or Kovil was attacked by the JVP or the government goons who try to suppress it at the time.
Throughout the 2500 year old history of Sri Lanka, monks were the advisers to the kings, perhaps the same way Mullahs had been advising Islamic rulers for a lessor period. You Muslims can bray as loud as you like but BBS, SR, RB and etc are forces to reckon with particularly when it comes to winning elections. And we can see, MR knows how to balance his act.
/
Alan / August 17, 2013
Patriot ,
Morsi was democratically elected president of Egypt with majority votes. In a democratic country anybody can protest. Why Morsi was thrown out?? it was need by Saudi Royal family. So American and Israel support on that issue. I hope you know that Saudi, UAE, qatar are funding the military government in Egypt (Already 8 billion Dollars have been given). Where is here Sharia law you are talking about? It is all political play all around. Israel support for military government in Egypt because Morsi is an strong support of palestine issue. Even President Mahinda Rajapaksa was also strong supporter of Palestine. But Saudi government has given billion of Riyas for the development of Sri Lanka.
If you talk in Syria Saudi is supporting to the fighters agains President Assad. Because it was the interest of America / UK as well. Iran and Russia supporting to Assad. How you justify this all…..there is nothing on Islam……not only church have been burned in Egypt syria even many mosque also have been burned by protestors. This is all political issues all around the world, because to keep ruling hegemony of the rulers…….which country has democracy in the world today????
In Egypt it is Terrorism but in Syria it is Freedom fighters. Saudi and America says this!!!!!!!!!! what a funny is this?????? Don’t be Racist be neutral and support for the justice……..We are all human beings………Today there is no religion war in the world all are political issues and fools are used for that.
/
Muliyawaikkal / August 16, 2013
To know the big picture read the religion of peace website.
It gives undisputable facts and figures.
It gives bliss to any reader.
/
Kettikaran / August 16, 2013
In any Govt formed of responsible, learned persons they reach their high positions only after years of experience and acceptable performance. This was the tradition in this country till about the late
1970’s when, in most cases, we were proud of our Cabinet Ministers.
Ministers have to be careful about their public utterances. The quality and educational levels of today’s ministers are known to anyone. Minister Ranawake, in his obvious lack of experience and in utter ignorance creates trouble to his President – already under pressure in many areas. Ranawake states here “Also closer to home, in India, Kashmiris continue to live in a living hell as tens of thousands of mass graves found in Indian-controlled Kashmir are (sic) evidence of a systematic ethnic cleansing (sic) which is going on there” India has already made her position known that this Minister is hostile to them. Ranawake makes it even worse. It will not be surprising if India has not already lodged
her protest, either privately or officially, against this unprovoked attack. On the other hand if Minister Ranawake deliberately wants to annoy India to remain in the news, now that his fortunes with the Rajapakses is sliding down, then it is a different matter.
Kettikaran
/
Prabakaran / August 16, 2013
I blame the Mahavansaya for all of Lanka’s ills.
/
M.SIVANANTHAN / August 16, 2013
But the author Bhikku Mahanama came from Kanchipuram during the time Bodhi Dharma!
/
Patriot / August 16, 2013
Mahawama has kept the Sinhala Buddhists identity for 25000 years. The JHU and other nationalist groups help found our Diyasena and push him to the helm at long last. Afterwards, Tamils and the federalists and the leftists and the liberals and what not and all have realized the need of the hour. Together we have defeated terrorism and ushered the peace. But Diyasena should not forget who made him what he is in 2005. I am sure Diyasena knows that all others are in for a beer.
Anyway, right now, there are no ills whatsoever. Sri Lanka is progressing beyond one’s imagine. Can’t you see, the government is winning elections and the opposition is in disarray. That means, the stability is assured longtime to come. The way to go.
/
ahmad / August 16, 2013
The 83 riots were not possible without the government machinery.
Watch out for champika charging the next 83 riots. He is Cyril Mathew reincarnated.
/
Jim softy / August 16, 2013
This is from wikipedia, how since Muhammad’s time, they convert non-believers places to muslims mosques.
“The conversion of non-Muslim places of worship into mosques occurred primarily during the life of Muhammad and continued during subsequent Islamic conquests and under historical Muslim rule. As a result, numerous Hindu temples, churches, synagogues, the Parthenon and Zoroastrian temples were converted into mosques. Several such mosques in Muslim or ex-Muslim lands have since reverted or become museums, such as the Hagia Sophia in Turkey and numerous mosques in Spain “
/
M.SIVANANTHAN / August 17, 2013
Taj Mahal is also built on a Hindu temple.
/
Ahmed / August 16, 2013
Champa
You agreed that “Islamophobia” is effected you. Islam is a fast growing religion, though anti islamic organzations are working hard. Your fear is Buddhism is deminishing day by day it is true, Monks populations increased in the past by 7 folds in Sri Lanka mainly parents supesticious believes and unemployment and war created illegitimate children sent to temples to avoid economic burdens.As they get free food, lodging and etc.
As a buddhist your duty to protect your religion, to address the issue you find a short cut solution than the long term strategy. Cant blame you becouse your nerrow minded political thinking made you to get into that solution.
You can increase buddhist population in many ways; reduce producing illegitimate children and sending them to temples, rethink encouraging youths to become monks, reduce monks free food and lodging for unemployed youths etc.Without a job they enjoy luxury life style.
And the second mothod is reduce muslim population killing half of them and loot thier properities like what you did to tamils in 1983. This is the short term solution you are trying but intellegent muslims didnt get into your trap yet. I hope they will not.
/