BBS condemns attack on Rohingya

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) yesterday disapproved the violent actions of a group of Buddhist monks and activists against Rohingya refugees.
BBS General Secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera said his organization does not approve the violent behaviour of the Buddhist monks and members of some Buddhist movements, towards the Rohingya refugees. He also denied allegations levelled at the organization over the recent incident in Mount Lavinia.

Speaking to Ceylon Today Gnanasara Thera said the incident has created a bad image of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist monks in the international arena. “We neither encourage nor approve violent acts of that nature. The Bodu Bala Sena stands up for the rights of the Myanmar Buddhists but the Rohingya refugees should be dealt with in a delicate and lawful manner. We are aware that Sri Lanka has signed a pact with regard to acceptance of refugees into the country. Therefore, we should not refuse the refugees their rights as they are only in transit in the country. There is a well-established judiciary in the country that we can count on. So, we should deal with the Rohingya refugees according to the existing laws of the country,” the Thera said.

He also reprimanded the government for not announcing its stand on the Rohingya refugees, which has led to such violent actions by some Buddhist movements. The Thera also requested the public to be patient and act wisely with regard to the Rohingya refugee issue. “We expect the Government to take necessary actions to send these refugees to where they came from in a more humanitarian and lawful manner,” the Thera said.