News
‘48 extremist Muslim groups active in Sri Lanka’
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Globally 72 extremist Muslim groups operated against traditional Islam believers, and of them 48 were active in Sri Lanka, a Sufi moulavi who wished to remain anonymous told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks on Wednesday.
The moulavi said that he had been under serious and continuous threats because he had been speaking out against fanatical Wahabism. The witness said that he had received higher education on Sufi Islam in India and Egypt.
He said that while Sufis were traditionally dominant in Sri Lanka, Wahabist groups, such as Tablighi Jamaat, Thowheed jamaat, Jamaat-e-Islami, Shabab, and Salafi had spread rapidly as they were well funded.
Those groups had first entered Sri Lanka after 1945, when members of extremist groups arrived from India and Pakistan. The witness said that although those groups operated under different names, they believed in Wahhabis ideology.
Wahabist groups misinterpreted the Quran, Hadith and Qiyas, the Moulavi said, adding that those who followed Wahabism had tried to silence him, using force on many occasions. “In 1991, I was assaulted by members of Tablighi Jamaat during a pilgrimage to Mecca for speaking out against Wahabists. I was stabbed, punched and kicked while I was on my way to have dinner. At that time late Alavi Moulana, trade unionist and politician, was also in Mecca. I went to a police station with him to lodge a complaint. But the Saudi police refused to accept the complaint, saying that they had received reports that I was working against them in Sri Lanka. Later, I came to know that the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) had complained against me.”
The moulavi said that on another occasion he had been abducted at Kohuwala in 2007 and kept in an undisclosed location for three days before being dumped somewhere near his house.
“I spoke to a Muslim intelligence officer and he observed me for several weeks and told me that my abductors were members of the Tabligh Jamaat. He asked me not to criticize the Wahabists,” he said.
When a commissioner asked whether a complaint had been lodged with the Police about the abduction, the witness said that they didn’t complain as extremist Muslims had more power in the country at that time. The witness said that he had been shot at when he was preaching at a Mosque in Akkaraipattu.
Members of the PCoI also questioned him on the Jamiah Naleemiah Islamic Institute, Beruwala. The witness said that Wahhabism was taught in the institution and Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the controversial Egyptian theologian, who justified suicide bombers, had visited the school.
“I also learned that NTJ leader Zahran Hashim had visited the school on three occasions,” the witness said.
News
Students of Vihara Maha Devi Girls’ College Kandy visit Presidential Secretariat and President’s House
A group of students from Vihara Maha Devi Girls’ College, Kandy visited the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s House and Colombo Port City today (09).
This program, organized by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education, and the Mass Communication Division of Parliament, offers schoolchildren the opportunity to explore important sites, including the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s House, Colombo Port City, and the Parliament. The students from Vihara Maha Devi Girls’ College, Kandy were fortunate to participate in this program.
During their visit, the students learned about the history of Parliament after touring the old Parliament building.
Director General (Legal) of the Presidential Secretariat Advocate J.M. Wijebandara, Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Air Vice Marshal Bandula Herath (Retd), and Principal of Vihara Maha Devi Girls’ College, Kandy Mrs. Nilakshika Hapugoda along with several teachers were present on this occasion.
Most Reverend Dr. Brian Udaigwe, the Vatican Ambassador to Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (09).
During the meeting, the Vatican Ambassador congratulated President Dissanayake on his recent election victory, conveying heartfelt greetings from His Holiness Pope Francis, the Head of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of the Vatican City State.
Ambassador Udaigwe also extended best wishes for the continued success and prosperity of Sri Lanka under the new President’s leadership. In his remarks, Dr. Udaigwe expressed optimism about Sri Lanka’s future, stating that positive developments were forthcoming in line with the people’s aspirations. He commended President Dissanayake’s commitment to the welfare of the country and its citizens, offering the Vatican’s support in realizing the President’s vision for Sri Lanka.
Dr Udaigwe also lauded President Dissanayake’s initiative to conduct transparent and credible investigations into the tragic Easter Sunday bombings and assured the fullest cooperation of the Vatican in supporting the President’s efforts to bring justice and healing to the victims and their families.
In line with the forthcoming 75th Army Anniversary (10 October) a solemn ceremony was held on 7th October 2024 at the Battaramulla War Heroes’ Monument (Ranaviru Smarakaya) to pay tribute to the heroic sacrifices of the nation’s fallen War Heroes.
The Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, presided over the ceremony as the Chief Guest, lending a significant sense of respect and prominence to the occasion. The event commenced with singing the National Anthem, followed by a two-minute silence observed in honour of the nation’s fallen patriots.
Thereafter, the Chief Guest, accompanied by several Senior Officers and Colonels of all regiments of the Sri Lanka Army laid floral wreaths and saluted paying a solemn tribute to the fallen War Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for the sovereignty of the nation.
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Students of Vihara Maha Devi Girls’ College Kandy visit Presidential Secretariat and President’s House
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