A Muslim businessman from Dehiwala was stabbed to death this afternoon at his hardware store and the murder is shrouded with mystery as family and neighbors struggle to figure out what reason led to the murder.
The 60 year-old victim identified as Abdul Aziz alias Sufiyan Moulavi who owned a hardware store named JayaLanka Traders in Dehiwala had been discovered with deep stab wounds at his shop this afternoon.
Neighbours state a passerby heard Aziz calling for help and had walked in to discover his lifeless body. Although the victim had been immediately transported to Kalubowila hospital, he had succumbed to the stab injuries.
It has also been alleged that some neighbours heard a stranger’s stern voice saying, “I’ve told you this before” repeatedly, minutes before the murder. Some believe the victim was murdered as a result of him refusing to pay off a ransom demand.
Muslim residents in the area have begun fearing for their safety, as the mystery surrounding the murder has made them wonder if Aziz was the victim of a hate crime.
Aziz- originally from Mawanella had owned the building that his hardware store was located in. Its first floor has been rented out to a group of undergraduates and when inquired, had said they did not hear any commotion at all.
Ayathuray Rajasingam / June 25, 2019
Demanding ransom is a uncivilized act. This should not be encouraged. May his Soul rest in peace. These are the after effects of the tense situation resulting from the Easter Sunday attacks. Politicians should also bear the responsibilities. It is better that people should remain calm in the best interests of the country.
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Amila W / June 25, 2019
Ayathuray Rajasingam,
.
“These are the after effects of the tense situation resulting from the Easter Sunday attacks” – A Tense Situation doesn’t happen with a plan or a mystery. Wait for police to complete their investigations.
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Ayathuray Rajasingam / June 25, 2019
Amila W,
Every incident has an after effect, The after effect of the defeat of the LTTE is a specific gang cutting people with swords which is being witnessed by the Jaffna people. Moreover, there are robberies. The after effects of the Glorious Revolution in Great Nritain saw the growth of Parliamentary democracy in Great Britain. The after effects of the end of the 2nd World War saw the emergence of a number of new States. Moreover, the after effects of the 2nd World War also saw a cold war between USA and Russia. The after effects of gaining independence after a bloody war saw the realization of the value of independence by both USA and India. The after effects of the Cease Fire Agreement was the violation of human rights since the parties to CFA were human rights violators (UNP, Military, and the LTTE leader).. Now the after effect of the unlawful activities of Rishard Badurdeen, Hisbullah and NTJ may see a foreign force entering the Sri Lankan soil. Who knows. The list is long.
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D.P. / June 25, 2019
I generally like some of your facts but, this time your screwed!
Yes, each event is followed by related after effects but it doesn’t necessarily mean that each & every event that occurs after a particular event has a direct relationship. Statistical correlation doesn’t always imply a causality.
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Amila W / June 25, 2019
Ayathuray Rajasingam – Please accept the fact that I am trying to say, after-effect is not a tense situation, and you said “tense situation”. Please try my samples below:
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“Intermittent rise of Sword Groups & robberies from LTTE remnants are an after-effects of Govt eradicating LTTE terrorists”
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The immaturity is obvious in him as aftereffect of getting older, and not getting matured (sample, no offense)
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gal banda / June 25, 2019
@Ayathuray Rajasingam – Do not try to be the judge. Very quick coming up with a stupid version of what you think
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Mallaiyuran / June 25, 2019
If it is Kappam issue, then somebody there know the murder
1. “I’ve told you this before” means the guy has been in & out of the store couple of times. There is a chance somebody might have seen him, at least, sometime earlier.
2. Noiseless murder means he knows the time and method. That too tells his familiarity with the neighborhood.
3. Kappam normally demanded by famous rowdies of the neighborhood. Not by instant rioters. That means he has been doing similar acts in that neighborhood.
It would become difficult for him to escape.
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Thappu / June 25, 2019
Mallaiyuran, You are hired for the post of Private Detective by the family. The police wouldn’t hire you. You are too smart.
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Frank N. Stein / June 25, 2019
Who would argue we have become a lawless society for sometime now.
Kappan kings of the area zero in on Tamil and Muslim businessmen.
Some crooked Policemen of the area are also in the take – working in cohorts
with the criminals.
My word! What has happened to this country? No one is really safe.
F.N. Stein
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Charlie Cohen / June 25, 2019
F. N. Stein. Go to a Jewish country in Europe, America, Australia or Middle East where blood sucking is official.
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Roy / June 25, 2019
Saffron robed monks are responsible.
Sira the master mind will suffer in this life before he goes to meet zaharan.
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Taraki / June 25, 2019
Roy, ‘Saffron robed monks are responsible’.
Sixteen readers approve of this outrageous unproved slander. That’s the same mob mentality that readers complains about.
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Peace Lover / June 25, 2019
This is a heinous crime and may his soul rest in peace
In Dehiwela and some parts of Mount Lavinia its a known thing for kudu karaya type characters to go from house to house with some bogus lists esp near Wesak or Poson and ask for money for dansala or during floods and they mostly target Tamil or Muslim homes when the men are away or even if the men are there the modus operandi is to ask for money if they give fine,if its a refusal then they intimidate either with subtle or not so subtle hints like ‘if you have any karadara api thamaai uthavu karanawaa’ or in some case 83 wage aawuth balaganang or drop the names of local thugs etc
but the fellows who will go an ask for ransom money from shops must be from a bit higher level in the criminal society (higher grade scum!)
This is type of activities should be stopped by the Police asap
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Nosey Parker / June 25, 2019
Best to wait until investigations are concluded, rather than jump to conclusions about ‘ hate crimes ‘ .
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Steve / June 25, 2019
Bring back the white vans and clear the country of this underworld menace. May this person RIP.
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Douglas / June 25, 2019
The caption says: “…….Mystery surrounds the Murder of “MUSLIM” (emphasis by me) Businessman”. Why this classification of “Sinhala”; “Muslim”; “Tamil” Businessmen? Why can’t we say: “A Businessman who owns a Hardware Store in Dehiwala Murdered”. Just look at the name he has put on the store – “Jaya Lanka Traders”. Isn’t it very communicative and excitable? This murder is not and should not be communicated as a “Murder” of a “MUSLIM” Businessman; but a “Murder” of a Businessman in Dehiwela. This is where the “Media Responsibility and it’s Communicative Tools” have to be deployed to develop and create that much desired and wanted “CHANGE” within the society of our country.
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Mallaiyuran / June 25, 2019
Douge whom you are trying to save. Relax man, nothing is going to happen if the Muslim man was murdered for Kappam by Sinhalese thug. Ranil cancelled the Visa for State Secretary Mike Pompeo. He will not come anymore.
But why did you assume if CT reports that a muslim man is dead, then he was killed by Sinhalese and America going to invade for retaliation? Is that he could not have been killed by a Tamil LTTE, possibly carrying a suicide jacket from Chavakacheri? Isn’t that what happened to Vaharai Policemen ?
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Uthungan / June 25, 2019
When the Media is under the control of corrupt crooked politicians the bureaucracy, police,the judicial system have to tow the line.
So it is not surprising that this sort of murderous crimes with a racial bias becoming common to keep the people in a state of fear and anxiety and not ask questions.
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Nathan / June 25, 2019
What Peace says is very correct. It is an age old tradition by these goons to demand kapang. They also mostly target Tamils and Muslims. How can they stop when cops and at times even clergy do this dirty thing. No way to stop. All have to put up with these if we opt to live in this tragic country. It is a curse in this only Sinhala Buddhist country led by moronic mahanayakas and dirty politicians. Only we can pray that in the next birth to avoid the Land of Eternal Dukka. They will hush up the murder. A poor life is lost.
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John Silva / June 25, 2019
You are right Nathan This thrice blessed country has been destroyed by the South Indian invaders, and then by the Western conquerors, Portuguese, Dutch and British in succession. It is said that during the Anuradhapura era a lady wearing gold jewellery and other paraphernalia, could travel unharmed from Anuradhapura to Ruhuna unharmed. That was the glorious past this country has nurtured by Buddhism. With the invaders from South India and Europe all that was lost. So better avoid this land now.
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chiv / June 25, 2019
Welcome to the land of mystery killings. It is Election Time. Daylight murder in Dehiwala without witnesses ????
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Sinhala_voice / June 25, 2019
I guess the Quran was written and inspired by Sinhala-Buddhists , along with Crusades in mid ages, the Boer Wars , World War I , World War II, Korean War….list goes on I suppose……I that makes you happy keep ON blaming Sinhala-Buddhists …..It is funny how a thoroughly disorganised, often opportunistic ethnic group with many internal divisions causes such organised chaos across the world ………
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Alan / June 26, 2019
Sinhala Voice..
I guess you’re blind to the facts.. Have you ever read the Quran?
War has been an integral part of Buddhist states from day one.
Have you ever looked at the history of Buddhism. The first major ruler to adopt Buddhism was Emperor Ashoka in ancient India. India’s first Empire was a ruthless totalitarian state. Ashoka expanded that empire to its largest extent. Ashoka was intolerant of other religions and even called for the mass murder of the Jains for the crime of “disrespecting the Buddha.” 18,000 Followers of Jainism were put to death under Ashoka’s rule.
Now the next major Buddhist state was the Bactrian Greek Empire which conquered a good part of the older ancient Indian Empire. This again was a military state, not a bunch of pacifists. The next Buddhist state after that was the Kushan Empire. Again, another warrior state.
In the first millennium, Buddhism expanded into China and became a major part of Chinese ideology. Then it spread into Tibet. When the Mongols decided to choose a religion, they chose a variant of Tibetan Buddhism, which is why Tibetan Buddhism is in Mongolia today as well as Tibet. Now we know that no one, with a straight face, would suggest that Kublai Kan was some sort of pacifist.
Then you also have a long history of warrior monks in China. You also have the philosophy of Chán, which later became the philosophy of Zen in Japan, which led to the development of the Samurai culture, which later became influential in World War II. The Japanese imperialists in World War II had a deep interest in Zen Buddhism. So all this shows that historically, Buddhism has not been explicitly a religion of pacifism,
Savagery of World war 2 and the Ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya in Myanmar and the Genocide of the Hindu Tamils of Sri Lanka is enough tell about the peaceful? Buddhism and it’s followers.
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rbh / June 25, 2019
Jumping to conclusion .
1. Like fasting to get rid off the minister before investigation
2 Predicting the murder case is somebody before investigation
3 Doctors surgery irregularities before investigation
Dalai lama saying.
Open-minded people tend to be interested in Buddhism because Buddha urged people to investigate things – he didn’t just command them to believe.
dalai_lama_
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Muslims need to wake up / June 25, 2019
Muslims can only depend on HE.Presisent ,(Hon)Sajith ,Wejemuni Zoysa,Ranawaka,(Hon) CBK and Mangala among Sinhala Politicians , among Tamils (Most.Hon )Sampanthan and among Muslims (Hon)Rauf Hakeem and( Hon)Fowzy.
If any of you have means of sending your sons overseas at least till the elections results , please do and dont wait until the flood gates are open.
Better safe than regrets .
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Sajith our Leader / June 25, 2019
Sajith Premadasa is the greatest blessing that can happent to Sri Lanka , unfortunately because of Cast issue (like which his Father had to fight alone) his own party and all other politicians and the elite want to block him, after all.his father was a great lone Soldier and he is hia father’s son.
Lets hope Sri Lanka will get this leader who will prove beyound all doubts in making it the pride of South Asia.
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Kenneth Roshen / June 25, 2019
Dehiwela area is notorious for so called ‘Kappang’ type crimes carried out mostly by the drug mafia. Even robberies by breaking into shops in the nights are common occurrence in Dehiwela. There are no one to help the traders. Victims are not only Muslims or Tamils even Sinhala traders. There are too many vulnerable location in Dehiwela from where the perpetrators emerge from which Dehiwela Policae is very well aware of. Politicians protect those criminals whenever they are apprehended. This has been going on for decades in Dehiwela and most of the residences are well secured and fortified, but in the case of retail shops it is not the case, as shops had to be opened for business which opens easy access for the criminals.
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Mano / June 25, 2019
So, crimes have come as a topic of discussion over Morning Coffee Cup.
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shankar / June 25, 2019
organized crime has to be got rid of .What is the police doing?are they also getting a slice?
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K A Sumanasekera / June 25, 2019
So far no mention of any possibility of Sinhala Buddhist Racists or Gnnanissara..
Thank God…-
Wonder whether it is a Holiday in the Diaspora….
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shankar / June 25, 2019
sumane
what about gota?i know he is in singapore,but we know his reach is long don’t we?
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jehan / June 25, 2019
the gnanasaraya gang.
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Charlie Caplin / June 25, 2019
The poor guy is dead and here we are on a world tour. Quite interesting to see a cluster of issues coming for discussion.
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Douglas / June 25, 2019
Mallaiyuran: Thanks for addressing me. My little effort is to avoid or defuse any more disasters taking place by the spread of this “Ethnic Divide”. Did you see what the “Pradeshiya Saba” of Dankotuwa did yesterday? That Local Authority “Prohibited” all the “Muslim Traders” from engaging in the “Sathi Pola” (Weekday Fair). Should this happen? Is this the way a “Local Authority” administered by the “Peoples’ Representatives” be allowed to make “Decisions”? Don’t you think, it must be nipped in the bud? That was my intention. Not in any case to “SAVE” a “Kappan Gang”. Please read me with an open mind. Thanks.
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Good Sense / June 25, 2019
I feel sad in noting that this is an unwanted murder with a possibility of ransom in mind. Don’t forget the fact that a DIG in service was convicted for murder, again a Muslim engaged in business where there was ransom in the background. Let this investigation be not another Thajudeen case. Just as much as ants go after sugar, ransom seekers seem to go after Muslim businessmen, thus creating a feeling that there is no place for Muslims in Sri Lanka. The development of that aforesaid feeling is not in the national interests of this country. A man may be wealthy, even filthy rich with dishonest sources of income but that does not mean that he has forfeited his right to live, although he may be punished for violating the law in some other dimension.
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shankar / June 26, 2019
good sense
“I feel sad in noting that this is an unwanted murder with a possibility of ransom in mind”
what makes you think a ransom is involved.All these years no muslim was killed for a ransom but suddenly in the backdrop of a witch hunt against muslims thre is a stabbing in broad daylight in his own business premises.And the fellow manages to get away running in broad daylight on galle road with a knife in his hand.Reminds me of the grease yakkas running and disappearing into navy camps.
This seems more like a killing to send the message to muslims that they are not safe in their workplaces and it is best they close up their businesses.The businesses of the muslims are the only focus since aluthgama.Someone wants them all to give up their businesses.It will be the sinhala businessmen who will benefit from that.
ps Even the wennapuwa incident shows clearly that is the objective in all this.
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Good Sense / June 27, 2019
My words are clear. “With the possibility” which is as indicated in the article itself. If one is familiar with the average psychology of goons, the source of attraction to engage in aggression is the possible gain in wealth. This was also witnessed in the 1983 riots as well.
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Roman Leslie / June 26, 2019
When Zahran and his crooked gang blew themselves up and killed innocents Muslims and Islam was blamed because the perpetrators are Muslim. Now when a Muslim man is murdered and a victim of a crime still Muslims and Islam is to blame??
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Nathan / June 26, 2019
Ha…ha…Zilva, how was she travelling from A’pura to ruhuna during 200 BCE with gold jewellery. Who was making gold jewellery then. But at that time it was Veddas or Nagas or Yaksas. Until some of them became Sinhalas many centuries later things were fine. Even a naked girl could walk on the road without being raped. Despite Buddhism, languages, civilisation, culture etc came from India yet the locally evolved natives became barbaric. They were killing each other, shifting kingdoms like gipsies, hiding in mountain tops from their own men and relatives, oh what a mess. Still things are the same. Then Portuguese came and Vedda became Zilva, perera, fernando but what is the point. If Buddha could not change then who else. Still same story of killing, back stabbing, betraying, looting, Zilva you are right man. Best thing as you say is to avoid dhamma deepa, a land suffering from Dhamma Toxicity. Machang we are all unlucky buggers, bad karma. May be better life in next birth.
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