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Sri Lanka is not a Sinhala Buddhist country but a country that belongs to all those who have taken Sri Lanka as their motherland, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said yesterday in Matara.

Samaraweera pointed out that although the country’s majority is comprised of Sinhala Buddhists, this does not mean we can impose our opinions on others simply because we are the majority.

“There are people belonging to Christian, Catholic, Hindu, Islamic and other religions in Sri Lanka. All of them have the same rights which the Sinhala Buddhists have,” he said.

“We should remember this. Most of us have gone abroad or have relatives abroad. If you go to Italy or the UK and if you become a citizen of one of these countries, there are no second-class citizens. The one who became a citizen today and the one became a citizen even thousands of years ago have the same rights,” he said.

Even I could become a cardboard hero and say that this is a Sinhala Buddhist country. However, Sri Lanka is not a Sinhala Buddhist country but a country belonging to all who have taken Sri Lanka as their motherland,” he said.

Sri Lanka is temporarily blocking some social media networks and messaging apps, including Facebook and WhatsApp, after attacks on mosques and Muslim-owned businesses in the worst unrest since Easter bombings by Islamist militants.

Several dozen people have thrown stones at mosques and Muslim-owned stores, and a man was beaten in the Christian-majority town of Chilaw on the west coast on Sunday in a dispute that started on Facebook.

Authorities said they arrested the author of a Facebook post, identified as 38-year-old Abdul Hameed Mohamed Hasmar, whose online comment "1 day u will cry" was interpreted by locals as threatening violence.

Later on Sunday and early on Monday, authorities arrested a group of men in the nearby Kurunegala district for allegedly attacking Muslim-owned businesses, a police source told Reuters.

Military spokesman Sumith Atapattu said people in the mostly Buddhist district then demanded the arrested men's release.

"To control the situation, a police curfew was imposed during the night," Atapattu said.

Several mosques and Muslim homes were damaged in the attack in the district, the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka said, but the precise extent of damage and the number of arrests was not immediately clear.

The flare-up is the worst violence in the three weeks since Sri Lankan Islamist bombers blew themselves up in four hotels and three churches, killing more than 250 people.

Since then, Muslim groups say they have received dozens of complaints about people being harassed.

Other communities say they fear the government, which failed to act on successive warnings about looming Islamist attacks, has not caught all potential militants.

Sri Lanka has used temporary bans on social media in a bid to deter misinformation and rumours.

"Social media blocked again as a temporary measure to maintain peace in the country," Nalaka Kaluwewa, director general of the government information department, told Reuters.

On Twitter, Sri Lanka's leading mobile phone operator Dialog said it had also received instructions to block the apps Viber, IMO, Snapchat, Instagram and Youtube until further notice.

A clash between Muslims and Christians erupted a week ago in Negombo after a traffic dispute.

The government also imposed a ban on social media after that clash.

The Presidential Secretariat has not been able to issue the relevant gazette notification to ban the National Thawheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) and Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) of Sri Lanka, despite the ban being imposed on the instructions of President Maithripala Sirisena.

President Sirisena, using the power vested upon him, under Emergency Regulations No. 01 of 2019, took steps to ban NTJ and JMI of Sri Lanka on April 27, the two organisations linked to the Easter Sunday attack as disclosed by State Intelligence. However, 16 days have elapsed since President Sirisena announcement and a gazette is yet to be issued banning the two extremist organisations.

A top official at the Presidential Secretariat said that the President’s Office was still waiting for the Attorney General’s Department to send the drafted gazette. 

“We have sent all necessary documents to the AG’s department and we understand that a few changes are to be made. I think they will send the Gazette document soon and we will be able to issue the gazette early this week,” he said.

Contrary to those comments, a high level official at the AG’s department denied that the gazette draft was still in their possession.

Catholics in the Sri Lankan cities of Colombo and Negombo, where churches were targeted by suicide bombers on Easter Sunday, have held their first Sunday morning masses since the attacks that killed more than 250 people.

Police stood guard at every entrance to St Lucia’s cathedral in Colombo, one of the country’s largest churches, which was full of worshippers, including many who lost relatives in the bombings on 21 April claimed by Islamic State.

Those attending underwent full-body searches and were banned from bringing bags, and the road outside was barricaded and guarded by soldiers. Troops wearing masks and camouflage clothing patrolled the surrounding area on motorbikes.

Soldiers stand guard at St Lucia’s cathedral. Photograph: Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/AFP/Getty 

Joshua Berney, eight, found it too much, and left partway through the mass. His aunt, an uncle and three cousins – one of whom was his best friend – were killed at St Anthony’s church in Colombo.

His mother, BJ, said: “We still haven’t found his body, so it’s difficult. My son finds it tough.”

At Mother of Seven Sorrows Mater Dolorosa church, two streets away from St Anthony’s, devotees trickled in until the building was full. Wall-mounted fans whirred at capacity to beat back the intense humidity.

Fr Fernando Marcelliar, who led the service, said: “The parishioners were really upset that we didn’t have a mass the last two weeks.” He held a private mass last Sunday, which about 50 people heard about and attended.

“Others found out later that there was a mass and they couldn’t come, and they were really upset – they even scolded me,” Marcelliar said.
A priest gives an emotional address to worshippers at St Theresa’s church. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

More than a dozen children in the congregation were having counselling, he said. “One mother told me yesterday that her son of eight years gets excited even by the slightest noise and doesn’t sleep well at night,” Marcelliar said.

Stephan Fernando, 16, was apprehensive as he entered the mass. He was serving as an altar boy at St Anthony’s when a suicide bomber detonated a device inside. “I feel better now that I’ve received communion,” he said after the service.

His brother, Eugine, who was also serving the altar that Sunday, had decided to stay at home and had been avoiding public places.

In tears, their mother, Sharmila, said: “My children are OK, but [the victims] were also someone’s children, who were loved and cared for.

“I saw how my sons’ shirts were splattered with the flesh and blood of others when they were coming out. I didn’t see the church, but I could understand how bad the damage was.”

The masses in the two cities – services elsewhere in the country had restarted earlier – were small steps towards the resumption of normal life after the attacks that ended a decade of relative peace following the government’s brutal victory in the country’s 27-year civil war against Tamil militants.

Students at state-run schools resumed classes last week. Campuses were guarded by police, and parents asked to replace school bags with clear plastic sacks. Attendance remains low.

Catholic private schools, which have been shut since the attacks, are likely to reopen on Tuesday.

A heavy police and army presence is still visible in major cities and villages as security forces continue the hunt for accomplices of the terror cell that carried out the bombings.

The president of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena, told parliament most of the 150 people suspected to have been linked to the plot have died or been arrested. He said 56 had been arrested on suspicion of direct involvement in the plot, of which 12 were hardcore terrorists.

The precise involvement of Isis in the attacks is not clear. Sirisena said police had so far discovered 13 safe-houses, 41 bank accounts and 19 vehicles and motorcycles belonging to the bombers. Those who aided the terrorists had been paid cash rewards of up to 2 million rupees (£8,700), he added.

Police are continuing to issue specific warnings of possible attacks in Colombo.

Update: A police curfew has been imposed with immediate effect until 4 a.m. tomorrow in the Rasnayakapura and Kobeigane areas as well, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Police curfew was imposed in the police divisions of Kuliyapitiya, Bingiriya, Hettipola and Dummalasuriya.

Curfew will start from 2 p.m. today (13) and will remain in effect till 4 a.m. tomorrow (14), the Police Media Unit said.

Police spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunesekara said that temporary curfew was declared to ensure a peaceful situation in the areas.

It is reported that President Maithripala Sirisena had intervened to provide scrap copper to a factory owned by Inshaf Ahmed who blew himself up at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel on Easter Sunday.

In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Industrial Development Board (IDB) on 06 June 2018, the then Director General of Public Relations to the President, Shantha Bandara requests the IDB Chairman to provide 500 tonnes of scrap copper at concessionary rates to the company owned by Inshaf Ahmed.

The letter, printed on a Presidential Secretariat letterhead, also notes that the company brings in a large amount of foreign exchange to the country and that they have requested help from the President to expand their operations.

The Industrial Development Board is an institution falling under the purview of the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen.
Bathiudeen had been subjected to suspicion in both mainstream and social media as the person who had provided scrap metal/copper to the Easter Sunday attackers. 

However, this letter proves that it was under Sirisena’s instructions that a factory owned by one of the suicide bombers got 500 tonnes of scrap copper.

Police believe the factory was used to build the suicide vests using explosive triacetone triperoxide.

On 22 April, nine employees of the factory were arrested by the Wellampitiya Police on April 22 and was remanded until May 6, after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate. However, the Court had subsequently released the nine suspects on bail.

Upon the signing of the agreement by Dr. Amrith Rohan Perera, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations and Mr. Lang Yabou, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of The Gambia to the United Nations on 10th May 2019 in New York, the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Gambia decided to establish Diplomatic Relations between the two countries with effect from 10th May 2019.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the establishment of diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and Gambia would enhance the existing friendly relations and cooperation in the political, socio-economic and cultural fields for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, said that they are working closely with the Sri Lankan government to ensure the safety of all refugees and asylum seekers that have been forced to flee their temporary residences following the Easter Sunday attacks.

The agency is concerned both at the impact this has had on Sri Lankans themselves and for more than a thousand refugees and asylum seekers in the country.

"UNHCR is working closely with the government, UN and other partners, and local communities to ensure all refugees and asylum-seekers are safe and looked after. We are actively assisting the displaced while discussions are ongoing with the authorities to identify alternative accommodation until refugees are able to return to their residences. We have deployed additional staff to support the government’s efforts," a statement from UN refugee agency said.

Currently, 1,060 refugees and asylum seekers, including women and children, are staying in local mosques, police stations and community centres, having sought refuge for fear of possible reprisals and threats. Many fled persecution in their home countries due to their religion or political beliefs.

UNHCR is providing food, medicine, and shelter materials, while conducting assessments of additional needs. The authorities and local groups have been supportive and helpful, but these sites are not meant to accommodate large numbers of people over time. Families with small children are living without proper shelter, sanitation and access to health care. Quick responses are needed.

According to UNHCR, there are nearly 1,700 registered refugees and asylum seekers in Sri Lanka. Hundreds still live peacefully in their local communities. 

"Sri Lanka has long offered protection to refugees of diverse religions and nationalities, and UNHCR stands in support of the Government and people of Sri Lanka in these trying times," the statement said.

In the wake of political allegations against him in the aftermath of April 21 bombings, ACMC leader and Minister of Industry and Commerce , Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Cooperative Development, Skills Development & Vocational Training, Rishad Bathiudeen, has called for a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to clear his name. 

"The people who make allegations against me knowingly or unknowingly safeguard the real terrorists," Minister Bathiudeen said addressing the Parliament on last Friday.

In his address he said, “Various people made allegations against me saying I ran away from Sri Lanka when I was recently for official work.

Some people and media made these allegations. They made the allegations without checking the facts about this tour. With some other Ministers in Oman, we discussed about multi-billion rupee project for Sri Lanka  with Omani government officials. After I returned from Oman, they have stopped the allegations. “

"They also aimed other allegations against me and these allegations were so dangerous and insulting I had question back from certain media institutions as to why they are identifying myself with terrorists” said Minister Bathiudeen and added: "These allegations too were similar to the allegations that I ran away from Sri Lanka."

“These allegations had no basis, nor were they supported by facts. S.B. Dissanayake holding a press conference lied in this regard. I have taken legal action against him. Since I did not accept his invitation to join their government during the 52 day coup and he is taking revenge by playing cheap politics," The Minister said.

"However I want to stress that I have given my assets and liabilities statements since the day I entered politics. Anyone can inspect these statements. I am also ready face any investigation. Today, I call Hon. Speaker to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to probe on allegations made against me. Then we can find out who is lying and who is not. The people who make allegations against me knowingly or unknowingly safeguard the real terrorists and fundamentalists. Their actions result in myself highlighted while the attention on the real terrorists shifts," Bathiudeen said.

Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan, presented a cheque for Rs. 17.84 million to Nimal Kumar, National Secretary of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society(SLRCS) on behalf of the Red Cross Society of China. 

The donation will be specially used in the treatment of the injured in the Easter Sunday attacks. Ambassador Cheng reaffirmed that at the time of sorrow, Chinese government and people stand firmly with the Sri Lankan people and resolutely support Sri Lanka in safeguarding its national security and stability, and building a peaceful and prosperous country. 

Chinese government is intensively negotiating with Sri Lankan side and will provide all necessary assistance within its capacity according to the urgent requests extended by Sri Lanka.

Nimal Kumar briefed about the SLRCS’ work after the bomb blasts, highly appreciated the Red Cross Society of China for its helping hand in a difficult time of Sri Lanka, and promised to use all of the donation in the treatment of the injured.

President Maithripala Sirisena has left for China on a three day visit to attend the “Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilisations.

"Sirisena left the Bandaranaike International Airport at 7.35 a.m. on flight UL - 302. It was reported that the delegation included 27 people.

It will be interesting to see whether Sirisena has left the island after appointing an acting Minister of Defence. Sirisena is due to return on Thursday.

Sri Lanka's Catholic Church on Thursday announced it will reopen its schools next week for the first time since Easter Sunday bombings killed 258 people.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said the schools would open Tuesday after remaining shut following fears of a repeat of the April 21 attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels.

"We have decided to open all Catholic schools on May 14," Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith told reporters in Colombo following a meeting between the country's 12 bishops and President Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo on Thursday.

All state-run schools -- more than 10,000 in total -- had resumed classes on Monday after police and security forces deployed armed guards.

But attendance has been low despite a raft of new security measures, including parking restrictions near schools.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith also said regular Sunday services would resume at all Catholic churches in Colombo from Sunday while a special service will be held Thursday at Negombo, north of the capital.

St Sebastian's church in Negombo where over 100 people were killed will hold an open mass Thursday evening, for the first time since the attack, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said.

The government has blamed a local group, the National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), for the bombings that also wounded nearly 500 people.