- โWorst communal incident since 1983โ – Rishad
- Wants BBS banned
The All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) led by Rishad Bathiudeen (MP Vanni District and Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka) has boycotted the Parliamentary vote of 18 June.
The 18 June vote was taken on the resolution to not to allow the UNHRC team into the country to investigate alleged human rights abuses during the last phase of the civil war against the LTTE.
โWe have seen the biggest communal riots in Sri Lanka after 1983 in this Aluthgama violence against Muslims. Since the time Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organization started, they have been provoking the Muslims but the Muslims 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. As a political party dedicated to the wellbeing of Lankan community, we strongly believe that it is time we make a statement. Therefore we boycotted todayโs Parliamentary session. We want the government to ban Bodu Bala Sena, ban hate speeches 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 delayโ said Minister Bathiudeen.
The ACMCโs current national standing is three parliamentarians, three provincial council members in the Northern Province, three Provincial Council members in the Eastern Province, two Urban Councils (Kinniya UC and Kattankudy UC), two Pradeshiya Sabhas (Oddamavady and Museli), a Municipal Council member (Kalmunai), making a total ACMC representation in the country at 61 representatives.
Leader of All Ceylon Makkal Congress