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Civil society questions PCoI blaming majority community extremists ‘nourishing’ Islamic extremists

Published

5 years ago

2021/03/22

The Easter Sunday Commission has incorrectly and inappropriately labelled majoritarian extremism as well as minoritarian extremism as “Islamic” and “Buddhist” extremism, argues a group of Muslim civil society activists.

M. M. Zuhair PC, former MP, Latheef Farook, Journalist and Author, Mass L. Usuf, Attorney-at-Law and Advocacy Columnist and Mansoor Dahlan, Theology Scholar, issued the following statement in this regard: “The Easter Sunday Commission has said (at page 471) that “The thowheed (Wahhabis) ideology is at the core of the Islamic extremism prevalent in the country. This was further fermented by Buddhist extremism which was not checked at an early stage”. In our view these are unacceptable observations, because as pointed out in our earlier statement we do not subscribe to the Western right wing extremist propagandist narrative of naming and shaming Islam or Buddhism for the extremist views or conduct of a few amongst their respective followers. Erroneous narratives such as “Islamic” extremism or “Buddhist” extremism will be wrongfully exploited before international fora for attack by anti-Sri Lankan interest groups.

“There are in our country, majoritarian extremism as well as minoritarian extremism, adverted to in the Commission’s report but incorrectly and inappropriately stereotyped as “Islamic” and “Buddhist” extremism.

“We also do not accept that ‘thouheed’ or ‘thouheed ideology’ is at the core of extremism prevalent in the country. No doubt there had been differences of opinion within the Muslim community on methodology and ritualistic practices at different times in the country. There had been similar rifts amongst followers of other religions as well. This is a common phenomenon amongst followers of all religions.

“But it is noteworthy that the 21/4 attacks were never against any segment of the Muslims by other Muslims! Majoritarian extremism, intolerance and inciting anti-minority hatred and failure on the part of the authorities to prosecute according to law, some of which have been referred to though inadequately in the report, had led to the violent extremist terrorist attacks of 21/4.

“We do not accept the Commission’s observations above referred to for the reason that incorrect reasoning and erroneous actions thereon may not help the country to avoid a recurrence of similar attacks. Blind implementation of some of the recommendations, we fear may provoke radicalization and communal conflicts. On the other hand actions to be taken, must prevent and not be the new causes for the recurrence of another despicable 21/4!

“It must be pointed out that the composition of the five-member Commission was exclusively pan-Sinhala. The 32-member Commission staff was pan-Sinhala. The Attorney General’s team which assisted the fact finding Commission erroneously described in the report as the “Prosecution” team was pan-Sinhala. The investigation team of 44, except for one retired SSP was pan-Sinhala! Nevertheless the Commission had been forthright (A) to blame (at page 15) extremist groups in the majority community for ‘nourishing Islamic’ extremist groups; (B) to pointedly refer (at page 464) to the rise of “Buddhist” extremism between 2012 and 2015 though blamed only on the BBS; (C) to advert to (at page 361) Buddhist extremist organisations such as BBS as “vocal critics of Islamic extremism and wahhabism in particular”; (D) that the BBS “went beyond targeting the Muslim community in general with hate speech” and identifying two speeches one at Maharagama on 17th February 2013 and the other at Aluthgama in June 2014 containing “without any doubt hate speech”’ (E) that the Attorney General file charges against the hate speech maker; (F) in naming Sihala Rawaya, Mahasohon Balakaya, Sinhale Jathika Balamuluwa and Sinhale Jathika Sanvidanaya among others as “anti-social Sinhala Buddhist Movements” and recommending action.

“Furthermore the Commission report states (at page 29) that the Sufi group “believes that one of their leaders is God”. This is shockingly false. Sufis believe Allah alone as God. We need to remember that Sufism is a well-recognized facet of Islam. So is ‘Thouheed’ which means monotheism or ‘oneness’ of Allah. It is clearly distinguished from the Christian concept of ‘trinity’. Every Muslim believes in the oneness of Allah.

“Sufis as well as ‘Muwahhideens’ who are called by their critics as ‘Wahhabis’ too believe in the oneness of Allah (as opposed to multiple Gods). Though every Sufi and ‘Muwahhideen’ (‘wahabi’) is a believer in the ‘oneness’ or ‘singleness’ of Allah or ‘thowheed’, not every Muslim is required or compelled to practice Sufism or follow the 18th century (1703-1787 ) scholar Muhammed Ibn Abdul Wahhab’s thoughts. Muslims follow the Quran and the Sunnah, meaning the sayings and practices of the Prophet Mohammed. The views of Islamic jurists and scholars may be followed, in given situations, if they are not in conflict with the Quran. We must take care to avoid attacks on Islam, because that will be globally resisted and exploited by interest groups at international fora.”

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News

Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games underway

Published

5 mins ago

2026/02/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

Antonio Tajani

February 06 :Milano–Cortina 2026 will be a-global event, bringing to Italy 3,500 athletes from over 90 countries, competing in 304 events, with an estimated worldwide audience of three billion people. Today’s opening ceremony in Italy will also be attended by around 50 Heads of State and Government from across the world.

Milano–Cortina 2026 will not be solely about sport; above all, it will represent development, innovation and a forward-looking vision. With an estimated economic impact of EUR 5.3 billion, the Olympic Winter Games will leave a lasting legacy in terms of infrastructure and territorial development. They will also serve as a powerful instrument of soft power, delivering a durable strengthening of Italy’s international positioning.

For the first time in history, the Olympic Winter Games will “diffuse”: two emblematic cities—Milan and Cortina—and an entire system of territories—Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige—united by a sustainable and inclusive vision. This constitutes a first, clear political signal.

The Winter Games generate effects that extend well beyond the sporting dimension, influencing infrastructure, territorial development, industrial value chains and the international standing of Italy.

The organisational framework of the Olympic Winter Games foresees the involvement of approximately 18,000 volunteers, alongside a dedicated diplomatic task force bringing together young officials, institutions and local communities. This commitment confirms Italy’s capacity to successfully host events of global scale, as demonstrated most recently by the Jubilee.

AN INTEGRATED STRATEGY

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has accompanied the arrival of the Olympic Winter Games with an integrated strategy, launched two years ago with the establishment of the Office for Sports Diplomacy and developed through an international roadshow across Europe, North America and Asia, involving athletes, media and businesses.

The strategy has pursued a twofold objective: to promote the territories and communities involved and to strengthen Italy’s image as an innovative, sustainable and welcoming country. The Olympic Winter Games have featured prominently in numerous initiatives, including Expo Osaka 2025, international Business Forums and the Italian Sport Day around the world.

For these reasons, Italy has chosen to invest decisively in sports diplomacy, making it a structural component of its foreign policy action. The Olympic Games embody values such as fair and peaceful competition among young people from across the world and have always stood as universal symbols of peace, respect and inclusion. In an international context marked by conflict, sport remains a credible space for dialogue. The Olympic Games were born in the name of peace.

Italy has reaffirmed this commitment by facilitating the adoption of the United Nations Resolution on the Olympic Truce, supported by the Holy Father and the President of the Republic—an appeal for sport to contribute to silencing the weapons.

In the past year alone, more than 233,000 people have been killed by armed violence, resulting in over 123 million displaced persons worldwide. Italy continues to play a leading diplomatic and humanitarian role, working for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, while also addressing less visible conflicts, such as in Sudan, where millions have been forced to flee. Through humanitarian initiatives such as Food for Gaza and Italy for Sudan, Italy remains at the forefront of efforts to protect civilian populations, particularly children, who are among the most affected by the consequences of war.

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY

Milano—Cortina 2026 therefore represents a unique opportunity to reaffirm Italy’s identity and core values. Through these Olympic Winter Games, Italy seeks to address the world as a builder of peace, growth and international cooperation. The “Games of Peace” will be a shared commitment, embraced collectively.

by Antonio Tajani, Foreign Minister of Italy

News

NPP: Speaker won’t step down, CIABOC can investigate him

Published

6 hours ago

2026/02/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

Nihal

* New Auditor General should not have been sworn in before Speaker – Opp.

* Suspended House Dy. Sec. Gen. Chaminda Kularatne takes his case to CA today

General Secretary of the National People’s Power (NPP) Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe yesterday said that there was no need for Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne to step down in view of the complaint lodged against him with the CIABOC (Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption).

NPP General Secretary said so in response to The Island query whether the parliamentary group of the ruling party discussed the growing Opposition calls for the Speaker, who is also the Chairman of the Constitutional Council, to step down to facilitate the investigation.

The NPP parliamentary group consists of 159 MPs, including 18 National List (NL) members.

NL member Dr. Abeysinghe asked whether any other person, who had been investigated by the CIABOC, stepped down from his or her position to facilitate the inquiry.

The top official emphasised that the CIABOC could go ahead with its investigation without any hindrance.

Chamindra and Dr. Jagath

Opposition sources said that there hadn’t been a similar situation before and the CIABOC investigation into Speaker Dr. Wickramaratne is unprecedented as he heads the 10-member CC responsible and directly involved in all key appointments, including that of members to the CIABOC.

Sources pointed out that the newly appointed Auditor General, Ms. Samudrika Jayaratne, took the oath of secrecy before the Speaker on 5 February in Parliament after suspended Deputy General Secretary of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne complained to CIABOC.

In accordance with Section 9 of the National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018, Jayaratne took the oath of secrecy in her capacity as the Auditor General of the National Audit Office and Chairperson of the Audit Service Commission.

Sources said that Kularatne would move the Court of Appeal today (10) against his removal at the behest of the Staff Advisory Committee, headed by the Speaker.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

News

Trinco Buddha statue case: All suspects, including 4 monks re-remanded till 11 Feb.

Published

6 hours ago

2026/02/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

One of the monks being brought to the Magistrate’s Court

The Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court yesterday (09) further remanded 10 persons, including four Buddhist monks, arrested on 19 January, 2026, for allegedly placing a Buddha statue in the coastal reservation, on 16 January.

The Buddhist monks, including Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera, and six other individuals, were further remanded until 11 February.

They have been accused of violating the Coast Conservation Act by placing a Buddha statue on a block of land belonging to the Trincomalee Bodhiraja Temple.

Of the four monks, Ven Balangoda Kassapa Thera and Ven Trincomalee Kalyanawansa Tissa Thera moved the Court of Appeal against the Magistrate’s Court decision. The case was heard on 22 January before a Bench comprising the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya, and Justice K. Priyantha Fernando.

Manohara de Silva, PC, and President’s Counsel Uditha Igalahewa, PC, appearing for the petitioners, urged the Court to take up the matter urgently, describing it as a case of exceptional importance.

However, the Court of Appeal on 3 February dismissed the petitions against the remanding of Ven Balangoda Kassapa Thera and Ven Trincomalee Kalyanawansa Tissa Thera.

The order was issued by the Court of Appeal bench consisting of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Rohantha Abesuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando.