UCA News
Contribute

Sri Lankan arrests over communal clash

Tensions growing between majority Buddhists and minority Muslims
Sri Lankan arrests over communal clash

A damaged Muslim house after the clash between Buddhist and Muslim communities at Gintota in Galle district on Nov. 17. (Photo by S. Kumar)

Published: November 24, 2017 07:12 AM GMT
Updated: November 24, 2017 09:00 AM GMT

Police have arrested 19 people following a clash between members of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist and Muslim communities in which seven people were injured.

The government accused extremists of spreading rumors to stir strife.

Businesses, houses and vehicles belonging to both communities were damaged during the Nov. 17 unrest at Gintota in the far south of the country. A curfew was imposed Nov. 18.

The violence started between Buddhists and Muslims after a minor accident involving a Muslim woman and a motorbike driven by a Buddhist man.

There have already been several incidents this year reflecting communal schisms.

Hardline Buddhist groups have accused Muslims of forcing Buddhists to convert to Islam and vandalizing Buddhist archaeological sites.

There have also been claims of illegal forest clearing by some Muslims.

One Buddhist group attacked the presence at a United Nations safe house of 31 Muslim Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.

Jehan Perera, executive director of the National Peace Council, said communal problems continued despite the military crushing in 2009 of a long-running insurgency by ethnic Tamils.

While the problem over the traffic accident in Gintota was settled by those directly involved, others exploited the situation. 

Perera noted that many of those arrested were outsiders.

There needed to be more programs by government, civil society and religious institutions to promote "inter-ethnic and inter-religious” understanding.

The government in particular should activate its network of district religious committees, Perera added.

Victim Mohammed Uvais said attackers threw acid at people’s homes.

"We left our house at night due to fear,” he related.

In 2014, three people were killed in clashes in the neighboring coastal town of Aluthgama.

More than 2,000 people were displaced and 17 mosques attacked.

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), a nationalist Buddhist organization based in the capital, Colombo, was accused of instigating the attacks, however nobody was punished.

BBS general secretary Gnanasara Thera this week asked the government to form a special committee to investigate the situation in Gintota.

Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayaka warned against the use of propaganda on social media to generate sectarian hatred.

Sinhalese Buddhists comprise about 75 percent of the Sri Lanka’s population while Muslims make up about 9 percent.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia