Former Education Minister questioned on content in Islam textbooks

Former Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam arriving at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks yesterday.Pic by Thushara Atapattu

by Rathindra Kuruwita

The police unit attached to Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks yesterday questioned UNP General Secretary and former Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam for around three hours.

Kariyawasam said that he had been questioned on the contents of certain school text books on Islam.

“These books were prepared by the National Institute of Education and by experts in the field. Usually, the minister has no involvement in the preparation of the text books. That’s what I told them,” he told the media after being questioned.

Earlier testifying before the PCoI, General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera said that the content of some text books, recommended for those studying Islam was shocking. The thera read excerpts of a book called ‘Semata Islam’ (Islam for all,) recommended for GCE AL students and those studying being theologians. The excerpts said that those who left Islam should be given three days to repent and return, but Muslims had a responsibility to kill them if they didn’t return to Islam.

“The book also identifies those who are opposed to Thowheed, uncompromising monotheism. Grade Seven book for Islamic studies, printed by Educational Publishing Department, also says that Muslims must adhere to hadiths, sayings of Prophet Muhammad. These books encourage teachings that the Prophet Mohammed warned against.”

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe too appeared at the police unit and was questioned for about four hours.