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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.
News
“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President
The book “Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” ,authored by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana, was officially launched this morning (08) at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
The first copy of the publication was formally presented to President Disanayake by Mr. Siriwardana during the event.
It has been reported that former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pilleyan’ has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
A meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and senior officials of SriLankan Airlines was held this afternoon (April 8) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussions mainly focused on proposals to transform SriLankan Airlines into a more profitable state-owned enterprise. Special attention was also given to possible short-term and long-term solutions for the airline’s debt management.
The talks further explored new investment opportunities for the airline. The President instructed the officials to take all necessary steps to transform SriLankan Airlines into a profit-making entity.
Although the airline has recorded operational profits, due to past mismanagement and poor decision-making, it remains one of the leading loss-making state enterprises. The current government has decided to reverse the previous administration’s decision to privatize the airline. Instead, it plans to continue operating it as the national carrier while introducing a new management structure to ensure its profitability moving forward.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, President’s Senior Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Sarath Ganegoda along with several senior officials of SriLankan Airlines, were present at the meeting.
“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President
Former state minister arrested by CID
President meets with senior officials of SriLankan Airlines
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