Karu J warns country of attempts to create communal disharmony

Former Speaker of Parliament and incumbent National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Chairman, Karu Jayasuriya on Friday called on all religious and political leaders and general public to be aware of attempts by certain elements to create communal disharmony and instigate racial violence through statements denigrating the founders of religions.

In a statement Jayasuriya said that these statements and their follow up activities pose the danger of pushing the country to conflicts and disturbances. “We note with grief the recent trends of statements on religious affairs by various elements. Given the past history of this country it is clearly discernible that such statements of discontent had paved the way for consequences inimical to the progress of our society.

“The recent statements and subsequent reactions have the potential of plunging this country again in danger and violence. We could recall that the ethnic violence and communal disharmony created in 1983 and 1915 took place in similar backdrops of discontent aroused through such statements. We are still reeling from the shock of the Easter Sunday carnage and in no position to face more communal violence,” he said.

Jayasuriya said that political authority, all religious leaders, civil society members and the media are duty bound to prevent the recurrence of another tragedy and to ensure the defeat of sinister forces vying to plunge the nation into calamity.