The new hardline Sinhalese Buddhist group based in Sri Lanka has called for the complete ban of the Muslim Halal system of verifying foods and other goods. Bodu Bala Sena, which translates as Buddhist Strength Force, stated that all representatives that promote none Buddhist religion should leave the country within a month of their warning. Hundreds of the groups supporters attended a gathering in the capital, Colombo. These statements are made at a time of mounting religious pressure in the country as the number of attacks on mosques, Muslin owned businesses, Christian churches and their Priests has increased significantly. Hundreds of men and women who attended the gathering to hear speeches by the group’s Buddhist monks heard calls for the boycott of Halal meat and demands that all shops that stocked it clear their shelves immediately, according to AFP news. Some of the activists at the gathering wore anti Halal T-shirts denouncing the Muslim Halal. Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Secretary General told the gathered crowds that “only monks can save this race” referring to Sinhalese. He claimed that Christian and Muslim extremists were threatening Buddhists, and said hundreds of monks were ready to fight. “Our country is a Sinhalese one and we are its unofficial police,” he said. Although the group has denied being anti-minority, distancing itself from attacks on Muslims and Christians. Dilanthe Whithanage, a member of the group accused “some” unnamed countries around the world of “funding Christian and Muslim fundamentalists” in Sri Lanka. Although no Muslims and Christians group have come forward and stated that it is promoting extremism in Sri Lanka. President Mahinda Rajapakse has called on monks not to incite religious hatred and violence, but one unnamed opposition politician has stated that “the situation is very bad”. And another representative of opposition political group called the United National Party Mujeebur Rahuman stated “Any moment, the ethnic riot will start between Sinhalese and Muslims,”. He went on to add “They are now working freely. Nobody is talking about this organisation and the government is not trying to stop their activities.” The Buddhist Sinhalese make up three-quarters of Sri Lanka’s 20 million population. Muslims count for about 10% and have generally had good relations with the Sinhalese majority.
