LATEST UN ATTACK ON ARTICLE 9 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SRI LANKA WHICH GIVES BUDDHISM ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE AMONG RELIGIONS
Posted on October 23rd, 2016
By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan Courtesy: Ceylon Today
The visiting Independent Expert on Minority Issues of the Human Rights Council Rita Izsak-Ndiaye noted that despite there being a semblance of peaceful coexistence between different religious groups, there are challenges in relation to minority religious groups who face difficulties in constructing certain new places of worship and accessing cemeteries.
Her statement came in specific reference to members of smaller Christian and Muslim denominations who face such challenges.
“Article 9 of the constitution is sometimes used to the detriment of other religions,” she noted. Construction of Buddhist temples, shrines and statues, at what is described as an alarming pace, in areas that were traditionally non-Buddhist, is being met with animosity.
She said she has been monitoring for several years, with concern, reports of attacks by Buddhist extremists especially between 2011 and 2014 notably by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) which incite violence and hatred against religious and other minorities while proclaiming the racial superiority of Sinhala Buddhists.
She said such aggressions ‘must not be allowed and tolerated. “It is of utmost importance that through effective prosecution of perpetrators those who incite or perpetrate hatred and violence are not allowed to succeed in deepening divisions between communities. In the course of public consultations on constitutional reforms, discussions about possible amendments to Article 9 featured prominently. Whether changes are made or otherwise, the protection and promotion of minority religious communities must be further safeguarded,” she added.
October 23rd, 2016 at 6:52 pm
Anybody can tell SL how to rule, how to govern, how to do anything since we do not have a leader. Anyone can dictate terms with us… what a shame? Can anybody remind them to go and tell the same thing to any other country to see what happens??
This is terrible situation as this Yamapalanaya team has sold the country cheap to come to power.
October 24th, 2016 at 3:14 am
Yahapalanaya has opened Sri Lanka to all this nondescript individuals undue importance to come and talk about our constitution and way we administer our country. These are American promoted Economic Hit Men(women)