By: Isuru Parakrama
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka must not fall prey to the tricks of the extremists and shall not support any action that may harm the peace and inter-religious harmony, the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) emphasised.
In a statement, NMSJ Chief former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya noted that every philosophy based on religious teachings and their symbols considered sacred are the heritage of the entire human race, and the people, therefore, need to understand that they are not rights or physical objects that are limited to only one race of religious community.
All those who work with true respect for their religion, country, and cultural heritage shall not fall prey to the tricks of the extremists, Jayasuriya pointed out, adding that all are bound to inherit a country in which everyone is respected.
Full Statement:
The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) is deeply concerned about the recent reports of a number of incidents that could seriously endanger national and religious harmony. We request the Nation not to support any action that may harm the peace and inter-religious harmony. Let us not support any form of action that may lead to bloodshed again in our motherland.
We are making this appeal in the name of the Nation, the future generation, and the founders of our religions who guided us towards a supreme path of non-violence.
Every philosophy based on religious teachings and their symbols considered sacred are the heritage of the entire human race. We all need to understand that they are not rights or physical objects that are limited to only one race or religious community. Any physical object or site of archaeological value should be considered as a heritage that the entire human community can be proud of.
We must keep in our minds that the greatness of a nation or the supremacy of a religion rests on the great virtues and guidance that they inherit to the world. Such values are destroyed by those who commit extremist, hegemonic and violent activities for their narrow objectives. Therefore, we request all those who work with true respect for their religion, country, and cultural heritage not to fall prey to the tricks of the extremists. We all are bound to inherit a country in which everyone is respected.
