By Karen Diep
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – On Thursday, hundreds of Buddhist monks threw stones at a Muslim-owned warehouse injuring several people in Colombo. The incident occurred a day after Sri Lankan authorities set up a hot-line informing them of anyone “inciting religious or racial hatred.”
Televised news covered showed broken glass and clothing from the warehouse scattered in the street. Although five or six people were injured, including the store manager and journalists, no arrests have been made.
According to BBC News, this recent event by the monks was part of their campaign against the “Muslim lifestyle.”
The Buddhist monks targeted a Muslim-owned clothing chain, Fashion Bug, which operates throughout Sri Lanka.
According to France 24, the monks throughout the assault “yelled insults against Muslims.”
Prior to Thursday’s attack, these Buddhist monks sent texts advising people to boycott Muslim shops when preparing for the upcoming Sri Lankan New Year festival.
On Friday, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), the most prominent Buddhist organization, issued a statement claiming that it was not involved in Thursday’s attack against the warehouse. Two weeks ago prior to the assault, BBS’s general secretary accused Fashion Bug and No Limit, another Muslim-owned clothing chain, of converting Buddhist employees.
Eyewitnesses claimed that Sri Lankan authorities initially stood and watched the event until the incident spread.
“There was a crowd of about 500 people, led by about a dozen monks,” stated Azzam Ameen, a journalist in Colombo. “About 25 to 30 policemen were on the scene, but were clearly overwhelmed. Most of the crowd was made up of young men, in their early twenties or even younger,” continued Mr. Ameen.
The attack allegedly lasted approximately an hour and a half before the fire brigade arrived. However, many took refuge in the Buddhist temple across the street to continue hurling stones at the warehouse from there.
However, Sri Lankan authorities believed sufficient protection existed.
“We have deployed extra units of STR [Special Task Force commandos] and police to guard the area,” relayed police spokesman Buddhika Siriwardena to the Agence France-Presse news agency. “The situation was brought under control within a few hours,” continued Mr. Siriwardena.
Sri Lanka’s Minister for Justice Rauff Hakeem, a Muslim, requested that the prime minister call a crucial cabinet meeting to plan the safety and security for Muslims subsequent to the assault on Thursday.
Sanjana Hattotuaw, a human rights activists and journalist, is weary of the government response. “What’s disturbing is that our defense secretary is openly associating with Buddhist extremists.”
For further information, please see:
Asia News – Sri Lanka, hundreds of radical Buddhist attack Islamic community – 29 March 2013
BBC News – Sri Lanka crowd attack Muslim warehouse in Colombo – 29 March 2013
France 24 News – Sri Lanka police stand by as Buddhist monks attack Muslim-owned store – 29 March 2013
