The Ven.Prof.Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera

The religious leaders – Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islam – said on Friday that the worsening situation in the country was not acceptable.

The Ven.Depana Dhammalankara Anu Nayaka thera, the chancellor of the Sri Jayawardenapura University, the Rajamaha Viharadhipathi of the Bellawila Temple the Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera, and Head of the Roman Catholic Church, Archbishop Oswald Gomis were among the religious leaders present at a press conference in Colombo.

Ven. Prof.Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera told Sandesaya that they also denounced the forcible eviction of the Tamil people from lodges in Colombo.

Foolish act

If it was an act by the government; the leaders described it is as a foolish decision, the thera said.

The religious leaders have also pointed out that to take action to tackle terrorism is a different issue but all the Tamil people could not be treated as terrorists and they have the right to live anywhere in the country, Ven. There said.

Apology not enough

The religious leaders while appreciating Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake’s gesture to apologise as to what happened was a mistake, say that that alone would not be enough but take measures to identify those responsible and punish them.

The Congress of religious leaders also issued a joint public statement denouncing the human rights violations.