Canada condemns violence against Muslims in Sri Lanka

Andrew Bennett
Andrew Bennett
ANDREW Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, on Monday said: “Canada condemns the outbreak of communal violence against Muslims, which resulted in the loss of lives and extensive damage to property in the south of Sri Lanka on June 15, 2014.

“We offer our condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.

“This is one of a number of recent and troubling attacks targeting the Muslim community in Sri Lanka. It is of the utmost importance that every person is able to practise his or her faith free from the threat of violence. We urge Sri Lankan authorities to act quickly to ensure the safety of all communities. These attacks are completely unacceptable and a clear violation of the right to religious freedom.

“Canada will continue to condemn all religiously motivated attacks. We urge calm on all sides and call for a swift and transparent investigation into what happened, as well as appropriate prosecution of those responsible.”

IANS reported: DMK president M. Karunanidhi Wednesday urged the central and Tamil Nadu governments to protect Muslims who have been attacked by Buddhist radicals in Sri Lanka.

Karunandhi said in a statement: “At a time when Muslims are being attacked, the central and state governments should come forward with their views to protect them.”

He said the US had condemned the attacks on Muslims in some parts of Sri Lanka. Other countries too had denounced the attacks.

At least three people were killed and over 100 injured when Buddhist radicals unleashed violence against Muslims in Sri Lanka, attacking homes and businesses besides mosques.

Muslims in Sri Lanka, who speak both Tamil and Sinhala, are the second largest minority after Tamils in the Sinhalese-majority island nation.