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elieved to have taken two of the participants of the vigil for questioning. It is <strong>report</strong>ed that<br />
the IGP had given the order to the police to arrest everyone if they refused to disperse. 49<br />
When a mosque in Mahiyangana was subject to attack in July 2013 where raw pork and<br />
stones were thrown at worshippers, Minister Rauff Hakeem was vocal in his criticism against<br />
the BBS. 50 He claimed that the attacks against the Muslims were organized and that that<br />
Secretary General of Bodu Bala Sena, Ven. Galagoda Aththe GnanasaraThera, is “openly<br />
promoting a hate campaign in the area.” He also bemoaned the government’s impervious<br />
attitude towards religious extremism, pointing out that the police had made no arrests. 51<br />
2014 and Premonitions of Things to Come<br />
The year 2014 witnessed the continuation of BBS’ violent trajectory with an attack against<br />
churches in Hikkaduwa. The BBS monks and a throng of supporters attacked two churches in<br />
the area. While the police were deployed to control the situation, they were unable to control<br />
the massive crowds. 52 On 9 th April 2014 BBS’ Gnanasara Thero and his supporters raided a<br />
press conference organized by the Jathika Bala Sena and Muslim Clerics. 53 Footage shows<br />
the General Secretary of BBS being vociferously abusive to those present stating that<br />
Muslims should not discuss their problems with Buddhist Priests. 54 In March, a Protestant<br />
Christian Pastor and his wife were assaulted by a mob of about 250 led by Buddhist monks<br />
belonging to Bodu Bala Sena in Asgiriya, Kandy. 55<br />
On 10 th June 2014, shortly before the incidents in Aluthgama and Beruwala the Bar<br />
Association of Sri Lanka had requested the Attorney General, Palitha Fernando to take steps<br />
against the actions of the BBS. The BBS condemned this letter and challenged the BASL for<br />
a debate on the contents of the letter. 56 To date, no action seems to have been taken on the<br />
part of the Attorney General’s Department.<br />
While there has been talk for over a year on a governmental policy to curb hate speech, this is<br />
yet to come into fruition. In April 2013, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, the Minister of National<br />
Languages and Social Integration, rejected claims that a Cabinet paper seeking a ban on<br />
extremist groups is being prepared. He was also quoted stating that, "This is a democratic<br />
49 Ibid. It is also <strong>report</strong>ed that “In the aftermath of the incident, DilanthaWithanage circulated a text to the media<br />
with a disturbing allegation. ‘Arrest fake Buddhists (who supported LTTE) who distort national anthem of Sri<br />
Lanka.’”<br />
50 See “Mahiyangana mosque closed after attacks: raw pork and stones thrown at worshippers”, The Republic<br />
Square, 29 July 2013.<br />
51 Ibid.<br />
52 Footage available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c84C_m4kD6c.<br />
53 Footage available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFSgzuNyBCA.<br />
54 Ibid.<br />
55 See “Christian Pastor attacked by Buddhist extremists” UCAN, 14 March 2014. The <strong>report</strong> also states that<br />
Buddhist monks also threatened the villagers in the province of Sabaragamuw, ordering them not to support<br />
and not to spend time with the Pastor.<br />
56 See “Video: BBS challenges BASL to debate on letter sent to AG”, Daily Mirror, 10 June 2014.<br />
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