- โBan BBSโ-Rishad
- Victims want promise that this wonโt recur
- โWorst communal issue since 1983โ – Rishad
As a government Minister from the Muslim community met the victims of Aluthgama religious riots on 18 June, many victims appeared confounded with one question-Why? โOur question is why? What have done wrong? What have we done to face this kind of a brutality?โ said S. Jamaldeen of Dharga Town in Aluthgama on 18 June.
Jamaldeen was one among many displaced Muslims who voiced this sentiment at the assembly of more than 1500 displaced Muslims who hastily gathered on 18 June at around 11.00am at the assembly hall of Al/Humaisara National School, China Fort, Beruwala where they are currently sheltered. They were given an opportunity to address government, military officials and Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka), who arrived at the venue to inquire about the well-being.
Minister Bathiudeen who landed in Sri Lanka on the morning hours of 18 June suddenly and mid-way returning from his official tour to Tunisia, upon disembarkation at KIA, immediately set off for Aluthgama and Beruwala areas which were beset by violent incidents of 15-16 June.
When Minister Bathiudeen first arrived at the Al/Humaisara by 11.00am, the school, giving the appearance of a refugee camp, was packed to capacity with more than 1500 displaced Muslims from Aluthgama and Dharga Town areas. More than 500 displaced families began pleading-some in tears-Minister Bathiudeen to intervene and request the government to come to their assistance, provide safety and give a guarantee that this will not recur. โThis riot was not a sudden occurrence. This was planned well in advance. Two religious figures were the key individuals who organized the riot hands-on in Beruwala and Aluthgama areas. We were attacked without any provocation. Our properties and houses burnt, and many of us were injuredโ Jamaldeen said, and added โOur question is why? What have done wrong? What have we done to face this kind of a brutal attack? We have so many day-to-day problems already. Now we are refugees with nowhere to go. We plead Minister Bathiudeen to intervene and seek relief from the government on behalf of us immediately. Though others here have not lost their houses or property, since they live amidst Sinhala villages, they fear to return and stay the night in their own homes since no security for them. Also when the mob was coming, Police officers told us to handle them in any manner as we can, and they promptly slipped away, leaving us totally helpless.โ
โI could not believe what I saw here today. We are an innocent community which has been committing and contributing to the development of Sri Lanka and living here peacefullyโ said Minister Bathiudeen, and added: โThis is the biggest communal riots after 1983. Since the time BBS started, they have been provoking the Muslims but we have been patient. We have done no harm whatsoever to this country. I am a government Minister, but as a member of this community, today I feel devastated by what I see and am very ashamed. I condemn these acts strongly. It is time that we, as a community, demand the government to ban the Bodu Bala Sena organization. Violence in Aluthgama flared after the rousing speech made by Ven Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, Leader of Bodu Bala Sena, addressing a convention in Aluthgama on 16 June. The speech took place despite peopleโs request to not to allow it but the Police allowed that hate speech. We want the government to ban hate speech by anyone and also to bring the Anti-Hate Speech Act and implement it. I urge the government to pay compensation to all the affected people without any delay.โ
After meeting the displaced at Al Hum school, Minister Bathiudeen toured rest of Beruwala and Aluthgama vicinities and personally spoke with many in the area who faced the brunt of 15-16 June attacks, and assured them that he will seek redress for them at his earliest.
Leader of All Ceylon Makkal Congress