Create formal institution to discuss sensitive info that BBS holds: Gnanasara Thera requests President

Colombo, December 16 (Daily Mirror) - Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary, Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, today requested the President to establish a formal institution to receive and discuss sensitive information they have collected regarding the growing racism and religious fanaticism in the country.

Addressing the media, the Thera said that he possesses various pieces of information that even the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) does not possess. 

"There is no point in keeping this information with me. I trust this government and therefore I wish to hand over this information to an authentic institution established by the government," he said.

"As the Maha Sangha, we have had the responsibility since ancient times to protect the country and the nation. That is the duty we have carried out in the past. Therefore, we have always informed the relevant authorities and parties before every critical situation the country was about to face. Unfortunately, no one listened to us. Instead, we were treated as if we were the creators of racism in the country," he said.

"We have faith in the current government. If the President decides to take decisive action to defeat the racism and religious intolerance that has taken root and continues to grow in this country, we must provide our utmost support without hindering the effort in any way," Gnanasara Thera said.

He added that support for the President should be given as Sinhala Buddhists are not involved in the racism and religious intolerance activities.

"Now the country has received a good opportunity to build an environment without racism and religious intolerance."

"President Anura Kumara Dissanayake shared some valuable ideas before leaving for India. In his speech, he said that he would not allow any racist actions. We fully support this promise with respect and approval. Our nation has been exhausted by years of racism and separatism," the Thera said.

"We used to engage in various activities in the past for the protection of the nation, country and religion in the country, but not against any government. We did not follow anyone's contract. Certain groups in the country were being influenced by a religious ideology that leads individuals to commit suicide, with the support and protection of certain political parties. We urge immediate action to defeat this ideology and address the issue through all possible means," the Thera said.

"During previous governments, although the relevant authorities were aware of the importance of these issues and documented them with great care, they failed to take appropriate action. As a result, no measures were implemented to prevent such incidents, culminating in tragic events like the Easter Sunday bomb attacks," he added.