A group of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) MPs has lodged a complaint at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) against Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera over hate speech against the Muslims.
The complaint was filed by MPs Naseer Ahamed,H.M.M.Harees, Muszhaarraff Muthunabeen, Faizal Cassim, Ali Sabri Raheem and M.S.Thoweek last Saturday.
“We, the undersigned Parliamentarians, hereby complain that Ven.Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, who appeared in a programme telecast on a private TV channel on September 13, had made inconceivable, insulting and hate speech against the Muslims, insulting and inciting hatred against Almighty Allah worshipped by Muslims and the religion of Islam. In the above programme, he said that Muslim’s God “Allah” is the “master mind” accountable for the Easter Sunday violence and bombing. These and several other ethno-religious hate utterances constitute offences under the Penal Code, the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, the ICCPR and other laws.
“In the same programme, the Thera furthermore accused that the Sri Lankan Muslims are violent oriented and associated with radical ideology and that he had a reliable information that another bombing is to be carried by Muslim terrorist in Sri Lanka. These statements are offensive, baseless and insulting the Muslims, the most peace loving community in this country.
“These contemptuous utterances had been made to damage the moves made by the President, Foreign Minister to obtain the economic support of countries like Kuwait, Turkey , the United Arab Emirates(UAE) and other Muslim countries and would adversely affect the national interest of Sri Lanka.
“These unsubstantiated statements of an impending second attack allegedly by Muslim terrorists will seriously affect foreign investments and tourist arrivals to the country, causing unaccountable loss and damage to the 21 million people of Sri Lanka.
“We are shocked and distressed to witness these kinds of distressing statements which endanger the unity and harmony amongst all communities, the well-being of the Muslim Society and tarnish the country’s image globally,” the Muslim MPs said in their complaint.They requested the CID to take prompt and transparent action on their complaint and to institute criminal proceedings against Ven. Gnanasara Thera under the law.
by Daily News Sri Lanka
, Local, ,