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| Sunday, 4 January 2004 |
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Communal violence takes bizarre turn Crime Sunday by JAYAMPATHY JAYASINGHE Hardly two weeks have elapsed since the mini riot at Puttalam which nearly sparked off major a communal riot. Fortunately, the incident was quelled by police. But in a bizarre twist of events, communal violence now has turned into religious intolerance with zealots making the issue of the so called unethical conversions, a battle ground to unleash particularly unsavoury volley of violence against Christian places of worship. As indicated by events several Christian churches in the Police Divisions of Kegalle, Mt. Lavinia, Nugegoda, Kurunegala, Kelaniya are reported to have come under attack by unruly mobs from early December compelling many Christian families to forgo their traditional midnight mass during both Christmas and new year. Analysts both Buddhist and of other religions say the attack on churches can have far reaching social implications. According to Police sources, the basis for the attacks stem from the growing cadence of alleged unethical conversions of Buddhists to Christianity. Although the issue of unethical conversions has been in the air for sometime some, unseen forces seem to be working hard to spread religious discord especially, after the passing away of Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera who condemned religious conversions in the past. The Thera however never advocated violence against any sect or religion, although his preachings have been misinterpreted by some to create dissension in the country. It was reported that while the Venerable Soma Thera was ailing in Russia, he had been concerned about religious discord than his own illness. There is a whiff of hope that the current wave of discord won't degenerate into large scale mayhem after President Chandrika Bandaranike Kumaratunga instructed the IGP, Indra de Silva to take stern action against those responsible for attacking Christian churches. The government too has condemned attacks on churches and has vowed to take stern action against the culprits. The first Christian church to come under an attack was in Athugalawela in the Kurunegala district, where mobs had set fire to thatched roof causing damage to the church. OIC Weerambugedera Police station, Inspector L.M. Shantha Bandara said that two person have been arrested in connection with the arson and the statements of 28 persons linked to the incident have been recorded by them. There was a dispute between the Athulgalwala Pentecostal church and the villagers over the use of the loudspeaker and the matter is now before courts. ASP Kurunegala Roshan Wijeratne said the situation had been brought under control following the arrest of the suspects. Meanwhile the other incident was reported from Padukka where mobs attacked and caused extensive damage to the Pentecostal church in Muthuhenawatte in Meegoda. The church furniture and the windows have been smashed up by mobs who stormed the church. Six persons have been arrested in this connection, OIC Padukka Inspector Nissanka said. Bulkathkopitita Police said that two christian churches located in Deedugala and Lawela in the Bulathkopita area have also been torched in broad daylight by a group of persons travelling with some monks in three vehicles in early December. However no persons have been injured in the attacks. According to Kirulaponne Police, a group of persons who visited a mission house at Allen Mathiaz Road had threatened the inmates of the missionary and gone away. In an another related incident, a group of persons had attempted to set fire to the Methodist Church at Piliyandala last week but arsonists had not been successful in their attempt, sources said. Meanwhile the fast unto death by Ven Dr. Omalpe Sobitha Thera, the executive committee member of the National Bhikku Assembly was called of after the assurance given by the Minister of Justice, Law Reform, National Integration and Buddasasana W.J.M. Lokubandara that a bill will be introduced in Parliament shortly to prevent unethical religious conversions. Ven Sobitha Thera begun his fast on December 29 as the Buddha Sasana Affairs Ministry had done nothing to prevent unethical conversions of Buddhists to Christianity. |
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