Leader of the Burmese anti-Muslim movement 969, Ashin Wirathu while thanking President Rajapaksa for granting him visa to enter Sri Lanka, pledged to collaborate with the extremist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) to fight the growing threat of Islamic exremism.
Wirathu
The controversial Burmese monk made these remarks on Sunday during his speech at the BBS summit titled ‘The Convention to awaken the nation’. True to the controversies surrounding him, Wirathu made seveal inciteful remarks in reference to threats that are being levelled against Buddhism and its followers.
“Buddhists are increasingly becoming a minority all over the world. If prompt action is not taken to protect Buddhists and grapple the growing influence of other forces such as Islamic extremism working against Buddhism, it would soon be the end of Buddhists and Buddhism,”he stated.
He thanked President Rajapaksa for intervening to approve his visa without heeding the calls of certain Muslim organisations to cancel his entry to Sri Lanka.
While stating that Buddhists world-over are facing grave threats due to their innocence being mistaken for naivete, Wirathu had stated that an organised campaign is being carried out by international media, world leaders and Jihadists to forcefully convert Buddhists, destroy Buddhist temples and taint the good name of Buddhist monks.
“The Jihadists and other Islamic extremist movements are exploiting the global economy, technology and military power to attack Buddhism and its followers,” he had stated while adding that as a result, the extremist killers are being portrayed as rightful individuals while innocent Buddhists are being portrayed as murderers.
Meanwhile, BBS Leader Kimarama Wimalajothi who claimed to resign from his position as the organisation’s leader following the tragedy that occurred in Aluthgama few months ago participated in the summit and commended Wirathu for his presence while criticising those who have described the BBS and the 969 movement as ‘terrorist organisations’.
“According to foreign media BBS is a terrorist organisation. What is a terrorist? If the BBS is a terrorist organisation, then I am a terrorist leader. This monk from Burma has been described as the Burmese Buddhist terrorist leader despite his innocence. ..” he said.
Wimalajothi had gone on to warn the gathering against the growing influence of Islamic extremism in Sri Lanka, claiming he was informed of these movements by Muslims themselves who are concerned about their young children who are being influenced and recruited into these organisations.
“Despite the accusations levelled against us, if the BBS did not raise concerns, you nor I would be able to freely express our views in this manner. This is a Buddhist country. . . I hope the government and relevant authorities would take these matters we have raised very seriously,” he added.
Although BBS General Secretary Galagoda Atte Gnanasara during his announcement of the event on Sunday, stated that a leader to represent the interests of the BBS would be announced on the same day, no such segment took place.
Gnanasara however, assured 5 million votes to a candidate who would represent Sinhala Buddhists at the upcoming Presidential elections. He had said they are seeking a leader who is willing to fight the forces aiming to destroy Buddhism and someone who would think of Sri Lanka as a Sinhala-Buddhist nation.
Ansar Fernando / September 29, 2014
To revert to Islam, I have studied the religion extensively. The claims made by BBS and 969 about Islam being a religion not of peace is an absolute non sense. There are terrorist that claim to represent every faith, it applies to Islam as well as Wirathu’s version of buddism, where innocent muslim people, including women and children have been killed mercilessly. And Wirathu has no remorse. We have his budding pupil in Gnansara who has just started to follow his foot steps starting with Aluthgama. Our country folk have enough problems with poverty causing a lot of social problems. Politicians are using these monks to deflect people from focusing on the real issues. This is a sinister move by the present government. This has nothing to do with religion, it is everything to do with staying in power by creating an issue that will draw more votes. Fortunately, the Uva elections are showing encouraging signs that people cannot be fooled forever!
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Thiru / September 29, 2014
Ansar Fernando ,
Therawarda Buddhism is turning out to be terror-O-war-da Buddhism at least in Myanmar and Sri Lanka. How much the silent majority of the Buddhist in the two countries insist that they don’t subscribe to these views, by merely keeping silent and not doing anything to stop it are in effect sustaining these terrorists.
Aung San Suu Kyi, the so called icon of democracy is one such hypocrite who is condoning genocide of Muslims in Burma by saying nothing against it. Many such ‘democratic’ Sinhala Buddhist leaders exist in Sri Lanka.They are waiting in the wings to harvest votes without anotanizing the racist Sinhala Buddhist majority.
In a similar way, didn’t the silent majority of Germans do the same thing when Jews were exterminated in front of their eyes in the millions?
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Rattan / September 29, 2014
‘How much the silent majority of the Buddhist in the two countries insist that they don’t subscribe to these views, by merely keeping silent and not doing anything to stop it are in effect sustaining these terrorists.’
Just as almost all the Tamils silently watched VP and his murderous organization.
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Ranjith / September 30, 2014
I don’t see a difference between ISIS and BBS. Both run by religiously driven fanatics, cold blood murderers. VP is the result of Larger Sinhala Buddhist Terrorism. The vast majority of Sinhala Buddhist nation did not do anything when the Sinhala Buddhist monster unleashed it barbarism on innocent Tamils till late 70s. The creation of Tamil extremism is the result of larger and more brutal Sinhala Buddhist racism.
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Prasad / October 1, 2014
This is the best response to the racially blinded big talking Thiru who is also a first class hypocrite.
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Amarasiri / September 29, 2014
Ansar Fernando
“Leader of the Burmese anti-Muslim movement 969, Ashin Wirathu while thanking President Rajapaksa for granting him visa to enter Sri Lanka, pledged to collaborate with the extremist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) to fight the growing threat of Islamic exremism.”
Conclusion: Sri Lanka State Gives visas yo Terrorists, if they are “Buddhists”. The Enlightened Buddhas must be rolling and vomiting in his Nirvana.
“This is a sinister move by the present government. This has nothing to do with religion, it is everything to do with staying in power by creating an issue that will draw more votes.”
Yes. It is about power of the Family.
The monks are after their own Hegemony and Power.
Who is going to Write the Common Sense for Sri Lanka, just like Thomas Paine did for America in 1776?
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Sylvia Haik / September 29, 2014
“He had said they are seeking a leader who is willing to fight the forces aiming to destroy Buddhism”. I know not of single force, Islamic or otherwise, even remotely threatening to destroy Buddhism. Before Hitler tried to destroy the Jews, this is exactly what Hitler said, that they’d destroy Christianity. The objectives of the BBS in inviting this Burmese terrorist is probably to get a few points. This man together with the Burmese government has succesfully marginalised the Muslim Rohingayas in Burma. BBS might be wanting to emulate.
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MirakRajBanda / September 29, 2014
If Wirathu or Gnanasara want to play the same Myanmar Genocide Card in sri Lanka, we all Sri Lankans prepare to face the consequences not alone the BBS. The message goes too fast and already the West and Islamic World discussing a possible sanction against Sri Lanka in NY.
Some IOC States already proposed their level of saction to the IOC Secretary Madani.
Yes it’s quite serious!!!!
BBS and the MaRa regime put all of us in danger if we are still fail to act on this Buddhist terrorism!!!!
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Thiru / September 29, 2014
Sri Lanka since independence has not had a single statesman who tried to unite the ethnic or religious communities in building a nation.
They were all influenced by the rabid bhikkus to be partisans favoring Sinhala Buddhists, and their actions since the disenfranchisement of Upcountry Tamils conclusively prove my point.
The present regime is the most virulent in its actions alienating Tamils, Muslims and Christians.
The Sinhala Buddhist rulers whether Oxford educated or a village thug, they were/are not fit to rule under a democratic set up.
In other words the majority community, from whom the leaders emerge, is not enlightened enough, though they claim to be Buddhists, or ready for democracy.
Many so-called developing countries, who achieved independence because of the communist countries threats to the Western colonialists in the last century to decolonize, have failed miserably in democratic rule. You can look around the world and see many such countries merely muddling through democracy, if at all they avoided blood bath.
Sri Lanka would have been better of under a benevolent king rather than these opportunist racists ruining the country.
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Lanka Liar / September 29, 2014
There are many people in Sri Lanka who are united in all the races, but they are not leaders. Leaders only divide so that they can rule. People unite so they can live
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Shantha / September 29, 2014
What more proof do we need that it was the Rajapaksa’s who have encouraged, and supported this brutal criminal, to enter our country? This has sent shockwaves among fair minded Sri Lankans, who do not want to be associated with such disgusting criminal. The rajapaksa’s are aiding and abetting terrorists who go against Buddhist teaching. Whoever is behind these criminals must be paying the rajapaksa’s well, and we know that the rajapaksa’s can easily be bought.
When ethnic problems hit us again, and suicide bombers from extremists have come into our country, hope the cursed rajapaksa’s think inviting a rogue criminal monk, responsible for the deaths of thousands, condemned by the world, is worth it.
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Tamodaya / September 29, 2014
Hakeem should thank MR for his visa.
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Park / September 29, 2014
It is time all Sri Lankans open their eyes. Visa was refused by Rajapakse for Dalai Lama but was given to this terrorist monk. All of us should keep this in mind when we vote at the next election. The opposition parties should use this as a major election issue when they ask for votes next time around.
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Ranjith / September 30, 2014
By giving visa to Dalai Lama, Mara will loose everything from China. But, giving visa to Burmese terrorist Monk, he will not loose anything at all. Instead his popularity among radical Buddhists will raise and he can stay in power for long.
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mike / September 30, 2014
@ Ranjith
“Instead his popularity among radical Buddhists will rise and he can stay in power for long” UNTIL EVICTED BY SOMARAMA-IN-WAITING, Anura Senanayake!!
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Matilda Ellepola / September 29, 2014
ok folks, the slogans and the master plan of the pawn that is Nanasara machan has come out.
This so called 5 million votes are going to none other than the MA-RA as Ranil or any common candidate will be called as a Tiger supporter and TNA supporter and NGO supporter etc.,
This is the great plan of the big GOAT and its coming along well.
stay tuned.
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paul / September 30, 2014
A part of the speech is in English from about 29:59, using the ‘para Ingrisi bhashava’ as the monk says. So all of us on CT are doomed!!
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Deshapriya / September 30, 2014
This is nothing but dangerous ethno-religious venom.
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Sammy / September 30, 2014
This clearly exposes the sinister motives of MR, who is playing all sorts of games for the survival of himself and his clan.
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Goraka / September 30, 2014
What will Buddha say about these saffron monk idiots!
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Native Vedda / September 30, 2014
Goraka
“What will Buddha say about these saffron monk idiots!”
Buddha would stop preaching and go back to his family life.
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Estate Labourer / September 30, 2014
It is very clear that M.R. does not care two hoots for the views or feelings of the Tamils and Muslims of this country.
He re-appointed G.M. Chandrasiri as the NPC Governor despite vehement objections from the Council’s members, even going back on his promises to replace him with someone more acceptable to the Tamils.
Now despite very strong protests from right across the Muslim community, he has granted a visa to the mad dog from Burma!
What surprises me is that despite M.R.’s egregious and deplorable treatment of Tamils and Muslims there are still so many of them eager and willing to grovel before him and keep licking his boots for small favours. These people have no honour, shame or self-respect at all. In fact, they lack these qualities in greater measure than cuckolds!
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