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Expressing solidarity with the victims of Easter bombings in Sri Lanka, the Muslim leaders of the country have called for one united identity of the island nation. 

"We, as a community, have done a lot of soul searching following the attacks. We could not imagine that they came from us. We concede that we saw elements but didn't think it would turn to this," Public Development Minister Kabir Hashim as quoted as saying on Thursday. 

The need of the hour was to "forge a Lankan identity", Hashim said, while addressing a media conference in which former Ministers Imthiyaz Bakeer Marker and Ferial Ashroff were present. 

He added that there was "soul searching from within the community unbeknownst to many."

A Muslim leader said that admonishing a whole community of two million for what the terrorists did was unjustifiable.

"We immediately took steps to take on the issue of the Madrasas and want them regulated under the Ministry of Higher Education. We want to know what is taught at these Madrasas and who is teaching them, they all must be regulated. The overview of mosques and sermons, the steps to ban the Niqab were all done by the Muslims themselves before intervention of the government."  

"We are doing everything possible to quell any form of extremism," he added.

Former Minister Ashroff pleaded against marginalizing of an entire community due to actions of the terrorists.

"We are still in shock as to what happened on Easter Sunday. We are still grieving. We couldn't imagine that these terrorists could come from our community... But I plead of you to not look at an entire community with hate and suspicion" she said.

Protesters had torched Muslim-owned shops and homes earlier this week. 

They had also vandalised mosques in several towns as the anti-Muslim unrest spread in the aftermath of the April 21 attacks, in which over 250 people were killed.

The European Union stated they are concerned about the recent incidents of communal violence that have occurred in certain parts of the country following the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. Furthermore, they also emphasized the responsibility of the media and the country's citizens in ensuring that misinformation does not spread and lead to more incidents of violence.  

While welcoming the arrests made in connection with the violence, the EU called on the Government to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and that the law is applied equally to all instigators and perpetrators of communal violence.

Issuing a Joint Statement today, the Delegation of the European Union (EU) together with the Embassies of France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, UK, Norway and Switzerland, underscored the fact that many European countries have experienced terror attacks and hate crimes in recent years. 

"We understand the toll it takes on communities and the possible long-term repercussions such incidents could have on a country's social fabric," the statement read.

"Clear leadership as well as the wholesale rejection of hate and violence are of paramount importance, and we encourage the Government to take all appropriate measures to reassure all citizens that it will protect and uphold their safety and their rights."

The EU called on the political, local and religious organsisations and other community leaders to continue to speak out against violence and all those inciting unrest and distrust and to make every effort to promote understanding and harmony between communities. 

Sri Lanka's state institutions are halting advertisements to private television channels, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera has said, alleging that they were contributing to communal disharmony.

"Any media institutions trying to make a business out of racism and human blood will be strongly opposed," he said.

Samaraweera was speaking to chairpersons of state banks at the finance ministry, a video of which he uploaded himself to social media this week. 

"Two television stations, Hiru and Derana, are working to a certain policy, to ruin the country in this situation," he alleged. "At the last cabinet meeting, my peer ministers criticized me for letting the situation build up to the current proportions." One of the two television networks confirmed that state banks have already halted advertising to them.  

State banks annually spend around 5.5 billion rupees in television advertising, and Hiru and Derana are among the country's largest networks. Advertising professionals said that other state-owned institutions are also starting to halt business with the two networks. (Economy Next)

Secretary General of the UNWTO called on the global community to offer its unwavering support to Sri Lanka through Tourism at this critical moment noting that hotels, beaches and other sites of interests are open as usual.

In a video message published at Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Official Facebook page, the Secretary-General of the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization Zurab Pololikashvili states the following,

“I have had the privilege of seeing Sri Lanka emerge as one of the world´s great tourism success stories, the country offers a warm welcome to visitors from all over the world, regardless of nationality or creed.

In return, tourism has provided many Sri Lankans with secure jobs, helping whole communities grow and develop. Tourism has also been a major factor in the past decade of national reconciliation, and contributed to bringing the people of Sri Lanka closer together.

Sri Lanka´s tourism sector is a beacon of hope and unity. That´s why those who seek to divide us, target hotels and other places where people come together. I offer my sincere condolences to those affected by the recent attacks, especially the families of the many victims.

I also call on the global community to offer its unwavering support to Sri Lanka at this critical moment. The country´s hotels, beaches and sites of interest are open as usual and ready to welcome you and by continuing to offer our support through tourism, we can help Sri Lanka recover and continue on its path towards peace and prosperity” UNWTO has also extended its immediate support for the recovery of Tourism Industry in Sri Lanka and a series of discussions have taken place between UNWTO Asia and the Pacific top officials and Sri Lanka Tourism Communications Team at the UNWTO Headquarters in Madrid, Spain following the Easter Sunday Attacks, a communiqué of SLTDA stated.

Army commander Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake, when inquired on a comment he had made to a print media on April 5th on whether he was influenced by a Minister to release a suspect that was arrested in Dehiwala, the commander stated that it was more of a request than an influence.

Lt. Gen. Senanayake made these remarks addressing a press conference yesterday (16).

The question and answer session between the Commander and the journalist is as follows.

Q: It was reported that Minister Rishad Bathiudeen had influenced you to release one particular suspect. Is it true?

A: The Minister called me and mentioned an individual’s name. He talked about their relationship and asked what I could do about it.

Q: Were you asked to release the suspect?

A: In the first phone call, I said that I will inquire into it.

Q: Even when he called me for the second time, I didn’t have time to inquire into it. During the third phone call, I asked him to ring me in an hour and a half so that I could give an answer.

Q: Which suspect was the Minister asking about?

A: There were many names similar to Mohamad so I can’t remember exactly. If you want, I will find out the name later. But I remember one thing. The suspect was arrested in Dehiwala. With the powers that have been vested in me, I could keep the suspect in legal custody for up to a year and a half.

Most of the army personnel deployed around the country were recalled called into conflict areas on the 13th and 14th of this month and the Army only used minimum force to control this situation, he said. However, if the situation got out of control, the Army has legal provisions to use maximum force, the Commander added.

The Army chief also said that the Army is always trying to control any situation using a minimum amount of force. He further said that the tri forces and the police have ensured the peace in the country and urged the public to have faith in the armed forces.

An international rights group Thursday expressed alarm over the Sri Lanka army's decision to reinstate an intelligence officer accused of high-profile attacks against journalists, including the assassination of a senior editor.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said reinstating major Prabath Bulathwatte created new threats for the media in Sri Lanka, which is currently under a state of emergency following the Easter terror attacks.

Bulathwatte was arrested in 2017 in connection with a string of attacks against journalists during the former regime of strongman president Mahinda Rajapakse and is currently on bail.

However, army commander Mahesh Senanayake last week told a local television network that Bulathwatte has been reinstated to boost the battle against local jihadists following the April 21 bombings in which 258 people died.

"Promoting to active duty an intelligence officer who has been implicated in the killing of one journalist and the torture of two others severely undermines Sri Lanka's claim that it is fighting impunity for crimes against journalists," said CPJ Asia Program Coordinator Steven Butler.

Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge was stabbed to death by members of a military intelligence unit in January 2009. Court records have named Bulathwatte as the key suspect.

The CPJ's Butler said reinstating Bulathwatte within the intelligence setup would create "new threats to journalists in Sri Lanka, who are not safe to do their jobs".

Sri Lanka's war-time military commander Sarath Fonseka has accused the then defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, brother of the former president, of running a secret unit used to target journalists and dissidents, including Wickrematunge.

Gotabhaya, who is a US citizen, has denied involvement, but faces civil action in the United States, where a case has been filed by the slain editor's daughter.

Wickrematunge had accused the defence secretary of taking kickbacks in arms purchases, including a deal to buy used MiG jet fighters, and was due to testify against him in court when he was killed.

Mahinda Rajapakse, president from 2005-15, and several members of his family are under investigation for alleged large-scale fraud and murder during his presidency.

All deny any wrongdoing and in turn accuse the current government of a political vendetta. (AFP)

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana met US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo in Washington DC on Thursday.  

Pompeo reiterated the United States’ condemnation of the attacks that Sri Lanka suffered last month, which also killed five Americans, and strong U.S. support for Sri Lanka in its fight against terrorism.  He also welcomed Sri Lanka’s renewed commitments to accountability, justice, and reconciliation.

Foreign Minister Marapana noted appreciation for U.S. support in the aftermath of the bombings and conveyed Sri Lanka’s interest in deepening cooperation to prevent future attacks. 

Both welcomed the approval of a USD 480 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact as an important development that will contribute to prosperity and economic sovereignty in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan authorities said on Wednesday they had the situation "under control" after mosques and Muslim-owned shops and businesses were targeted in a violent backlash after the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

A second overnight curfew imposed nationwide ensured there was no repeat of Monday's violence against Muslims, who make up some 10 percent of Sri Lanka's population of 21 million.

Many Muslims have been bracing for revenge attacks since three churches and three luxury hotels were bombed by local Islamist extremists on April 21, killing 258 people.

"The situation is now totally under control," said military spokesman Sumith Atapattu.

"There were no incidents of violence overnight and we are arresting groups of people responsible for taking part in mob attacks."

Ruwan Gunasekera, a police spokesman, said that more than 80 people were in custody as of Tuesday evening.

Official sources said police deployed special teams to review CCTV camera footage to identify the perpetrators of the riots and many arrests were being made on this basis.

More police and army units were seen deployed in the troubled area as the authorities lifted the nationwide curfew on Wednesday morning.

But Muslims in North-West Province remained nervous and stayed indoors Wednesday, after sword-wielding rioters killed one man late Monday while vandalising scores of shops and mosques.

In Bingiriya, where some 2,000 people went on the rampage, Muslim cleric M.I.M. Siddeeque said the community was worried.

"Our people are still afraid to go out," he told AFP by telephone.

Military spokesman Atapattu said security forces were arresting small groups of suspected trouble-makers and handing them over to police.

They were being held under emergency laws under which convicts can be jailed up to 10 years, police spokesman Gunasekera said.

Among those detained was Amith Weerasinghe, a man from Sri Lanka's majority Buddhist Sinhalese community and on bail for his role in similar riots in March last year in the central Kandy district.

Another man arrested was identified as Namal Kumara, a deserter from both the army and the air force for his alleged role in leading mobs.

Meanwhile, the police also made several changes in the command structure by removing senior officers in the troubled areas after allegations that officials did nothing to stop the rioters.

Parliamentary speaker Karu Jayasuriya condemned the violence and appealed for calm.

"The attacks on mosques, the burning of houses and shops, the attacks on innocent people cannot be condoned in any way," Jayasuriya said in a statement.

The attacks came during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.

A state of emergency has been in place since the Easter bombings and security forces have been given sweeping powers to detain suspects.

Internet service providers said the telecoms regulator on Tuesday extended a social media ban to Twitter.

Earlier, Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and Instagram had been blocked to prevent the spread of messages inciting violence.

Niger's defense ministry says 28 soldiers have been killed after an ambush by jihadists.

The attack took place on Tuesday not far from the volatile border with Mali where Islamic extremists are known to operate.

A defence ministry statement says the soldiers came under attack by heavily armed assailants with explosives.

The attack took place about 45 kilometers (27 miles) from where an ambush in October 2017 killed four American soldiers and four soldiers from Niger. 

Their convoy was attacked by more than 100 extremists while searching for a high-level Islamic State group leader.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday urged all Sri Lankans to awaken the collective strength of the peace-loving people against the acts of racial and religious hatred.

“I address you today as the Speaker of Parliament and as a responsible elderly person who loves this country, not as a politician”.

“These incidents did not take place in the first horror of terrorist attacks, when people were hurting and grieving. Instead the fact that they are taking place three weeks after the attacks makes it evident that there is an organized group seeking to fulfill narrow agendas through this unrest” Speaker Jayasuriya said in a statement.

The Speaker pointed out that the way people conducted themselves when confronted by terrorism, drew the respect of the world. “But that these acts of violence will earn us the disgust of the world at large, and especially those friendly Middle Eastern and Islamic nations is no longer preventable” he added.

The Speaker also requested the President and the Prime Minister to speak in one voice and communicate with the people and the Defence Secretary, IGP and armed forces chiefs to brief the people daily on the security situation.

Following is the statement issued by the Speaker:

“I address you today as the Speaker of Parliament and as a responsible elderly person who loves this country, not as a politician.

“At different times throughout history, this country has faced situations of conflict and unrest, but never before has it resulted in three weeks of complete paralysis.

“My own eyes have witnessed the devastation wrought by the fires of racism and youth insurrections that have led to a breakdown of relations between communities of people. The day the 1983 Black July riots began, I was on my way to the Kelaniya Temple with my wife and children. I was not involved in politics at the time. At the Elphinstone Junction, a crowd of more than 100 people blocked my path and made a request.

“Sir,” they said, “buy us some petrol so we can save the Sinhalese race”. I was shocked by the request. I replied:

“You are not trying to save the race. You are trying to set fire to our future.” I told them it would be future generations that would have to pay for all this.

For 30 years, our country was devoured by those flames. We lost our place in the world. The same fires destroyed the futures of innocent children, even the children of those who set the country alight.

Vengeance and hatred nurtured and nourished terrorism.

“Following the Easter Sunday attacks, the ordinary people of this country conducted themselves in a far more civilized, intelligent and patient way. As I express these sentiments, I extend my respect and gratitude to all religious leaders who offered guidance to their followers about how to respond to the tragedy.

“I believe that you have all understood how much every sector has suffered from paralysis and inefficiency in the three weeks that followed.

“It is deeply unfortunate that rather than overcome these challenges and begin to rebuild, incidents that cause hatred to spread have been reported.

“These incidents did not take place in the first horror of terrorist attacks, when people were hurting and grieving. Instead the fact that they are taking place three weeks after the attacks makes it evident that there is an organized group seeking to fulfil narrow agendas through this unrest.

“All I have to say to them is this. “You are laying the groundwork for your country to burn for a few more generations. I urge all citizens to bear in mind that these are the futures of your children that you are setting ablaze.

“The way our people conducted themselves when confronted by terrorism, drew the respect of the world. But that these acts of violence will earn us the disgust of the world at large, and especially those friendly Middle Eastern and Islamic nations is no longer preventable.

“It must be emphasized that anyone helping to spread the fires of religious and racial hatred is a stakeholder in the destruction of the lives of our children, to whom the future truly belongs.

“If I may recall the words of our Teacher Lord Buddha, who taught that hatred does not cease by hatred, and urge everyone to act with patience and restraint at this time. I humbly request the religious leadership to come forward in this moment to quell these fires. I urge the political leadership to appeal to the people to remain calm.

“I reiterate my request to HE the President and the Prime Minister to speak in one voice and communicate with the people. The Defence Secretary, IGP and armed forces chiefs should brief the people daily on the security situation. Only then will the people feel confident. Only then will the rumours that are spreading like wildfire be stopped in their tracks. So far, every rumour that has been spread has been proved to be untrue.

“As the Speaker of Parliament, my appeal to all citizens is that we do not allow the country to be plunged into darkness once more, the way it was in 1983.

“Reflecting on yesterday’s incidents creates a deep sense of sadness for me. The attacks on mosques, the burning of houses and shops, the attacks on innocent people cannot be condoned in any way.

“These actions push Sri Lanka further into the abyss. I do not believe that any person who has a semblance of feeling about this country, could resort to such actions.

“We must act intelligently now. The Muslim Affairs Minister is striving to resolve these issues patiently, with the full blessings of the Muslim community. The Ministers of Justice, Education and Higher Education are involved in consultations with relevant sectors to draft new laws and regulations.

Agreements have been reached on several controversial areas, including traditional Muslim women’s dress, madrasas and higher education institutes. I myself participated in some of these discussions. In the next few weeks, some of these issues that have given rise to debate and controversy will be resolved I believe. The majority of Muslims have no desire to turn this country into a fundamentalist nation.

“Let us not be cursed for our actions by future generations. I urge all Sri Lankans to awaken the collective strength of our peace-loving people against these acts of racial and religious hatred.

May the triple gem bless you. God bless you.”

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) will conduct an investigation into the controversial private university in Batticaloa.

COPE chairman, parliamentarian Sunil Handunetti said that relevant parties involved in the university will be summoned before COPE on the 21st of this month.

The University Grants Commission (UCG) announced last week that the institution named the 'Batticaloa Campus’ was not approved to conduct any type of degree programme and that the university had not submitted a single document requesting to include a degree programme in its curriculum.

Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to provide all possible assistance to Sri Lanka in its endeavour to strengthen national security by wiping out the scourge of terrorism.

The Chinese President made this promise during a meeting with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena at Presidential Palace held yesterday (14), the Presidnet's Media Division said in a statement.

He said that China is always ready to go hand in hand with Sri Lanka which is recovering after effectively facing the challenge of terrorism adding that the Chinese government will provide any assistance to Sri Lanka at any time.

President Xi Jinping, while condemning the Easter Sunday attacks expressed his condolence to the families who were affected by the attacks. He said that he is against any form of terrorism in any part of the world.

He also said the Chinese government has taken steps to provide a grant of Rs 2,600 million for security forces during this emergency situation on a request of President Maithripala Sirisena

The Chinese President has also agreed to immediately release 100 jeeps and many other equipment costing Rs. 1,500 million to the Sri Lanka Police Department.

The two governments also signed an agreement promoting closer cooperation in the field of defence following the bilateral discussion between the two leaders.

President Sirisena briefed his Chinese counterpart about the Easter Sunday attacks, steps taken by the government following the attacks and the new security mechanism put in  place by the government.

The discussion also focused on strengthening cooperation in the defence sector and sharing intelligence between the two countries.

President Sirisena said that the country does not have technological expertise and equipment to trace the individuals who are fanning the flames of terrorism by propagating false information through social media.

The Chinese President agreed to provide necessary technological expertise and equipment to the country immediately. He also informed President Sirisena that a Chinese technical team will be sent to Sri Lanka soon to look into the matter. Both leaders also discussed on the progress of development projects being implemented in the country with Chinese financial assistance.

Sri Lanka President said that he expects to complete the constructions of these projects soon.

They also discussed on the progress of Kidney hospital being constructed in Polonnaruwa with Chinese assistance. The Chinese President praised the cooperation given by the Sri Lanka as a true ally.

The Chinese President appreciated the drug eradication programme of President Maithripala Sirisena and said that he was confident that Sri Lanka will be able to win that challenge.