In a letter addressed to Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne, the Iranian Ambassador in Colombo says that he is assured of an amicable solution.
“I have the confidence that your honour in your capacity as the honourable Prime Minister & religious affairs would devote your utmost attention to resolve the issue in an amicable way leading to the further strengthening of the existing communal harmony”. Say the Iranian envoy in Colombo.
Minority Rights
In a statement issued from London, Minority Rights Group (MRG) warned about rising religious intolerance in Sri Lanka.
“Minority Tamils and Muslims are increasingly becoming targets of rising religious intolerance by some Sinhala Buddhist nationalist groups”. Say the MRG.
MRG also asks the government of Sri Lanka to take firm action to protect and promote the rights of all communities, not just that of the majority community.
Muslim politician
Meanwhile the attempts by government politician M. L. A. M. Hizbullah to intervene on the issue was criticised by the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU – Council of the Muslim Theologians) and the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL).
The deputy minister’s claims at the meeting with Rev. Inamaluwa Thero on the 23rd of April, that the Dumbulla Khairiya Jumma Mosque was not damaged by the mob led by some Buddhist monks is totally false and misleading.
Damage on video
Hizbullah will compel the community to assume that he is working with ulterior motives to undermine the Muslim community
Muslim organisations
“The entire nation witnessed the damaged caused to the mosque through the media. Video and photographic evidence of the damage is also available on youtube and the internet”. The Muslim organisations say in a statement issued on Tuesday.
“Failure to present the true picture by Hon. Hizbullah will compel the community to assume that he is working with ulterior motives to undermine the Muslim community” claims the Muslim organisations.
BBC Sinhala