{"id":126670,"date":"2014-06-22T15:01:20","date_gmt":"2014-06-22T09:31:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=126670"},"modified":"2014-06-30T14:35:32","modified_gmt":"2014-06-30T09:05:32","slug":"if-i-was-the-president-i-would-side-with-the-west-not-the-muslim-countries-says-gnanasara","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/if-i-was-the-president-i-would-side-with-the-west-not-the-muslim-countries-says-gnanasara\/","title":{"rendered":"‘If I Was The President I Would Side With The West Not The Muslim Countries’ Says Gnanasara"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite continuous accusations being leveled at the Bodu Bala Sena<\/span><\/a> (BBS) of its direct involvement in instigating anti-Muslim violence in Southern Sri Lanka, its General Secretary Galagoda Atte Gnanasara<\/span><\/a> claims it was they who took steps to simmer down the aggression in the area.<\/p>\n

\"Gnanasara\"<\/a>

Gnanasara<\/p><\/div>\n

In an interview Divaina \u2013 a local Sinhala newspaper, Gnanasara has stated that the BBS visited Aluthgama<\/span><\/a> last Sunday in order to use their \u2018expertise\u2019 to calm the residents who were tensed by the alleged attack on a monk by three Muslim youth in the area.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the aggressed crowds were beyond the control of the law enforcement authorities, it was we who stepped in and settled them. I have seen criticisms leveled at the speech I made<\/span><\/a> in Aluthgama on Sunday, but I never at any point ordered anyone to attack Muslim shops. I simply voiced the frustration of the Sinhala Buddhists<\/span><\/a> in the area and they told me they felt very lighthearted after listening to my speech,\u201d he has stated in his interview.<\/p>\n

The outspoken monk has gone on to claim that it was a group of outsiders that created havoc by pelting stones at the crowds who were heading home after the BBS rally after they were calmed down.<\/p>\n

\u201cViolence in Aluthgama was a result of the Police inaction over the harassment of Sinhala Buddhists including a priest, by Muslims in the area. How can you expect a country\u2019s majority to remain placid before continuous attacks on them?\u201d Gnanasara has questioned.<\/p>\n

He has also criticized Sri Lanka\u2019s foreign policy during the interview.<\/p>\n

Responding to a question on Sri Lanka being isolated in the international politics due to lack of support by Muslim countries following the anti-Muslim violence \u2013 particularly concerning human rights allegations leveled at Sri Lanka, Gnanasara has noted – \u201cThis is a result of the misguided foreign policies of Sri Lanka. If I was the President I would side with the Western forces not the Muslim countries because I can very clearly foresee the dangers of befriending Muslim extremists 15 years down the line,\u201d he has stated.<\/p>\n

\"BBS<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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