Canada Condemns Violence Against Muslims in Sri Lanka

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"We urge Sri Lankan authorities to act quickly to ensure the safety of all communities. These attacks are completely unacceptable and a clear violation of the right to religious freedom."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Govt of Canada / FirstPost
By Staff report | June 16, 2014 -

Serious communal violence broke out in many parts of Southern Sri Lanka, leaving several dead and dozens injured. There are reports of massive damage to property with curfew now in force.

According to a report posted by FirstPost website, the tensions between Sinhalese and Muslim groups were reported from the Aluthgama and Beruwala areas of Southern Sri Lanka.  The violence believed to have occurred following an inflammatory speech by anti-Muslim Sinhalese extremist group the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), which is ironically made up almost entirely of Buddhist monks, FirstPost further reported.

Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, Andrew Bennett, today condemned the attacks and issued the following statement:

“Canada condemns the outbreak of communal violence against Muslims, which resulted in the loss of lives and extensive damage to property in the south of Sri Lanka on June 15, 2014.

“We offer our condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.

“This is one of a number of recent and troubling attacks targeting the Muslim community in Sri Lanka. It is of the utmost importance that every person is able to practise his or her faith free from the threat of violence. We urge Sri Lankan authorities to act quickly to ensure the safety of all communities. These attacks are completely unacceptable and a clear violation of the right to religious freedom.

“Canada will continue to condemn all religiously motivated attacks. We urge calm on all sides and call for a swift and transparent investigation into what happened, as well as appropriate prosecution of those responsible.”


-- Canada Condemns Violence Against Muslims in Sri Lanka


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