Teachers accuse govt. of backing BBS

Education sector professionals yesterday accused the government of backing religious strife in the country to suppress public opinion against rising social problems.

At a media briefing yesterday, Ceylon Teachers’ Services Union (CTSU) General Secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe accused the government of endorsing the Bodhu Bala Sena (BBS) agenda of creating religious tension in the country.

He added that a government frontliner had recently attended a leadership training programme purportedly organised

A government frontliner had recently attended a leadership training programme purportedly organised by the BBS

by the BBS.

Mr. Jayasinghe said in light of the leadership training ‘mania’ stirred by the government, a leadership training academy initiated by the BBS was of grave concern due to the policies and agendas it could be promoting.

“Whenever the country experiences issues that prompt public outcry be it economic, social or concerning democracy or human rights, the government creates various social phenomena that distract the public from forming a mandate against them. The ‘grease yaka’ incident is one such example. The religious tension created between Buddhists and Muslims by the BBS group is another government sponsored phenomenon that they expect to act as a diversion to the prevalent issues in the country,” he said.

Speaking further, Mr. Jayasinghe said government inaction towards the chaos created by the BBS proves their actions are state sponsored. “It is high time they let go of their underhand motives and took steps to ban the organisation due to the adverse impact their agendas could have on the country’s peace,” he added.