President Rajapaksa has emphasized that those responsible for the incidents
in Alutgama and Beruwala will be penalized irrespective of their status or designation. The President emphasized this to Buddhist and Islamic religious leaders after arriving at the Beruwala Divisional Secretariat this afternoon.
The meeting was summoned to discuss the incidents that happened recently. The President who met religious leaders underscored that certain local as well as extraneous forces are operative to destroy religious harmony prevailing within the country.
The President made a fervent appeal from all parties concerned not to extend any support for such actions. The President emphatically mentioned that the law will be enforced to the letter irrespective of religious, cast or status differences against those who were involved in the incidents in Beruwala and Alutgama.
The President sought views of members of the Maha Sangha and Islamic religious leaders who were present on the occasion. Views were expressed from both sides on the incidents that took place and about the prevention of such incidents recurring. The President declared that those affected by these incidents would be compensated and that necessary initiatives will be taken with respect to property damaged.
Minister Mervyn Silva, President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunge, Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order Nanda Mallawarachchi, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Daya Ratnayake, Police Chief N.K. Ilangakoon and many senior defence officials were present on the occasion.
Members of the Maha Sangha and the Islamic clergy applauded the initiative taken by the President to visit the areas where the incidents took place and provide solutions and also for the initiatives taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
The President was in Bolivia attending a Summit when the incidents erupted in the area. The President returned to the island last night and immediately undertook a tour of the area this afternoon to make inquiries into the incident.
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