Muslims in Lanka call off protest over deadly attacks

PRESIDENT COMMISSIONS OIL TANK FARM: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse, left, commissioning the $76mn oil tank farm at the southern deep sea port of Hambantota on Sunday. Sri Lanka is hoping its new harbour in the southern tip of the island would emerge a key refuelling centre along the East-West sea route.

AFP

Colombo

Sri Lankan Muslims called off a planned protest yesterday to denounce a series of attacks by Buddhist extremists after police warned their action could further inflame religious tensions.

The Sri Lanka Thawheed Jamaath (SLTJ) said they were calling off their demonstration in the capital as well as a work stoppage after talks with a senior police officer in charge of security in the capital.

“As to a request of Senior Deputy Inspector General Anura Senanayake the SLTJ postpones the protest,” the group said on Twitter.

Muslims were due to stage a “hartal”, or work stoppage, similar to their action on Thursday when much of Colombo’s wholesale markets shut down to protest a wave of attacks which have left at least four people dead.

Police have been widely criticised for their failure to prevent a series of attacks at the beginning of last week in coastal areas, carried out by a hardline Buddhist group known as the Buddhist Force (BBS).

Muslims account for about 10% of Sri Lanka’s 20mn population who are mainly Buddhists.

On Sunday, President Mahinda Rajapakse has instructed the police to take action against any individual or organisation attempting to spread hatred among religions or races.

In a message, the president warned that peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka following the end of the war was at risk as a result of recent violence in the country.

Urging Sri Lankans to understand the situation and work towards co-existence among all communities, Rajapaksa said: “No one can take the law into their own hands. I have instructed the police to take firm action against anyone violating the law.”

On Saturday, a popular Muslim-owned clothes store was destroyed in a fire and people alleged it was attacked. The police did not rule out arson.