NO MERCY FOR THOSE WHO PROMOTE COMMUNAL HATRED

The government will show no mercy to those who create tension among the Sinhalese and Muslims and will act against them in the same manner it is dealing with ISIS and National Thowheed, Jamath (NTJ), Prime Minister

Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

I was informed by the intelligence units that there are plans to create violence in other areas as well

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was speaking at a ceremony held in Jaffna to distribute Samurdhi aid to new recipients. “The antimuslim riots that took place in Kuliyapitiya, Hettipola, Bingiriya and Minuwangoda were organized by certain groups to create unrest among members of these two communities and was an effort to put the government into difficulty. It is the same with the recent incidents where rumours were spread about possible attacks targeting schools,” the Prime Minister said.

“I was informed by the intelligence units that there are plans to create violence in other areas as well. I was told of such an incident in Biyagama. There is a fear psychosis currently in Negombo as well,” he added.

“We will show no mercy to ISIS and NTJ. We will also show no mercy to those who sow the seeds of communal disharmony to achieve their political ends,” he added.

The Prime Minister reiterated that distancing Muslims from society by harassing them will be disadvantageous as it is they that provide the government with information on Islamic extremists the most. Referring to the Tamil community he said the government has not changed its stance on finding a political solution to the national issue without dividing the nation. The Prime Minister said the Kankasanthurei Port will be developed with Indian assistance and that Rs. 2.5 billion will be spent for the development of the Palali Airport.