{"id":125864,"date":"2014-06-13T14:08:08","date_gmt":"2014-06-13T08:38:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=125864"},"modified":"2014-06-19T01:50:57","modified_gmt":"2014-06-18T20:20:57","slug":"buddhist-monk-allegedly-assaulted-by-muslims-in-aluthgama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/buddhist-monk-allegedly-assaulted-by-muslims-in-aluthgama\/","title":{"rendered":"Buddhist Monk Allegedly Assaulted By Muslims In Aluthgama"},"content":{"rendered":"

An alleged assault on a Buddhist monk and his driver by a group of Muslims, in Aluthgama<\/span><\/a> on the Galle–Colombo Road yesterday (12th<\/sup> June) evening, near the Aluthgama-Welipenna road near Dharga town, forced the Police to fire tear-gas on a group of people, who were protesting over the incident. Traffic jams were also reported in the area after the protesters blocked the road.<\/p>\n

\"Aluthgama\"<\/a>The incident took place on Poson Poya Day, sacred to Buddhists in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

Ministers Kumara Welgama and Rohitha Abeyagunawardene visited the scene in an attempt to sort out matters. Welagama\u2019s vehicle was reportedly stoned by the angry crowd and damaged.<\/p>\n

According to a resident of Aluthgama who wishes to remain anonymous, \u201cright now, on what was to be a peaceful Poson Poya day, my town Aluthgama is a war zone because of religious fanaticism. Mobs rule the streets, smashing Muslim shops, and Police just fired tear-gas to disperse the mob surrounding the Police station. There are rumours floating that Muslims are assaulting the Sinhalese in Dharga Town\u201d. He adds that this is a blatant lie, \u201cI spoke to a friend there and he said there was no such thing happening\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

He says that this is a repeat of events, \u201cthe last times it was kept out of the press and over a thousand military personnel were brought in. This is one area where Muslims and Buddhists live eyeball to eyeball.\u201d<\/p>\n

He goes on to say that there are \u2018agent provocateurs\u2019 who have been working to bring about this situation for the last few weeks. \u201cI see shades of July 83<\/span><\/a>\u2019 in what is happening. Even normally peaceful people have taken to the streets. I\u2019m right in the middle of the town and can see how the provocateurs are working\u201d, he adds.<\/p>\n

He further states, that there is an anti-Muslim rhetoric and the most ridiculous stories being floated around, \u201csome of the temples are involved, I live right next to one\u201d, he adds.<\/p>\n

This morning (Friday 13th<\/sup>) the town of Aluthgama is reportedly in lock-down, with a very heavy Police presence; virtual saturation with the Riot Police, two water cannon vehicles and the STF.<\/p>\n

A volatile situation is anticipated today, after Friday prayers at the Mosque.<\/p>\n

May 10, 2014, a\u00a0shopping complex belonging to a Muslim businessman<\/span><\/a> in Dharga town Aluthgama was torched by a mob of around 200 people which includes Buddhist monks.\u00a0According to reports the mob had torched the shopping complex of the brother of a suspect who had allegedly molested a boy at the complex. But the court\u00a0released him on\u00a0bail after watching the CCTV footage of the alleged incident.<\/p>\n