“Rathana Thero’s death-fast could push moderate Muslims towards extremism” – Gnanasara Thero

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – Acts like the fast-unto-death campaign launched by Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero could push the moderate Muslims in the country towards extremism, Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero pointed out on Tuesday (04).

Addressing the media in Colombo, the General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) stated that more than the Sinhalese people it was the moderate Muslims who had helped curb extremist acts by the followers of the National Thowheeth Jama’ath (NTJ) Leader Zahran Hashim, after Sri Lanka’s deadly Easter terror bombings.

“Acts like Rathana Thero’s fast-unto-death campaign will only push such moderate Muslims towards extremism,” Gnanasara Thero stressed.

Gnanasara Thero further emphasised Rathana Thero’s act could have been justified if he had held the protest at least within a week after the Easter Sunday attacks.

BBS General Secretary also questioned the purpose of Rathana Thero’s protest against 3 individuals when there were so many others behind the Easter Sunday attacks.

Gnanasara Thero added the requirement today was for a National agenda to defeat extremism and not individual acts like Rathana Thero’s fast-unto-death campaign.