Sri Lanka Muslim group calls for ban on anti-minority groups

Sri Lanka's Muslim Council on Thursday called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa to ban extremist organizations that promote hatred and violence against the country's minorities. The group made the request following Sunday’s attacks on the Muslim community in Aluthgama,‎ in which four people died.  "We feel that it is necessary and urgent that the climate of impunity with which these groups have been permitted to act thus far be challenged," a statement by the Muslim group said.  It urged the government’s action “to restore and uphold the rule of law in this country", saying “it is necessary that a culture of respect for ethnic and religious tolerance - a part of this country's rich and ancient heritage - be endorsed and encouraged at the highest levels".  The Muslim Council noted that "appeals made to the police and other authorities by several Muslim groups and Muslim politicians to stop the rally in Aluthgama that preceded the recent attack were not heeded."  The group alleged the radical group Sinhala Buddhist Bodu Bala Sena had planned the attack. On Thursday, moderate Buddhist monk and harsh BBS critic Wataraka Vijiyha Thero was found badly beaten by unknown assailants.