{"id":126082,"date":"2014-06-16T18:35:39","date_gmt":"2014-06-16T13:05:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=126082"},"modified":"2014-06-20T16:18:34","modified_gmt":"2014-06-20T10:48:34","slug":"sporadic-violence-continues-ban-on-gnanasaras-speech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/sporadic-violence-continues-ban-on-gnanasaras-speech\/","title":{"rendered":"Sporadic Violence Continues: Ban On Gnanasara’s Speech"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sporadic violence against Muslim businesses continued today, with incidents being reported from Badulla and Mawanella while the Police fired tear gas a shortwhile ago at a crowd who attempted to march towards Dharga town.<\/p>\n

\"Gnanasara\"<\/a>A vehicle that was a part of a convoy taking food and medicine to the displaced persons also came under attack by a mob, sources involved in the relief measures told Colombo Telegraph.<\/p>\n

However, the Military, STF and the Police are currently present in their numbers in Aluthgama and Beruwala.<\/p>\n

Pictures from journalists who visited the areas today show carnage, complete with arson attacks, and looting.<\/p>\n

It is unclear if any suspects have been arrested. The entire riot continued throughout the night despite Police curfew being in place in Aluthgama and Beruwala.<\/p>\n

Several high profile Ministers including the Prime Minister, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, UNP MP’s led by Karu Jayasuriya were in the area today.<\/p>\n

At a specially convened meeting today in which government Ministers including Basil Rajapaksa, Galagodaathe Gnanasara and others participated, it was tacitly agreed that the speech made by Gnanasara was not to be played according to informed sources.<\/p>\n

In a hateful and inciteful speech made prior to the riots, Gnansara said that the “Muslims should be finished” among other statements to a receptive and cheering crowd.<\/p>\n

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