President Mahinda Rajapaksaof Sri Lanka has asked the Sri Lankan media to refrain from giving publicity to the anti-Muslim activities of extremist Sinhala Buddhist organisations. The President made this request when he met the editors of Sri Lankan newspapers and heads of TV and Radio stations for breakfast at “Temple Trees” on 21 June.President Rajapaksa’s request was made when he was mingling with media heads and editors in an informal manner after the formal breakfast meeting was concluded.
The President disclosed that a suspect allegedly responsible for setting fire to a beef stall owned by a Muslim in the Southern town of Tangalle had been arrested,produced in court and remanded.The arson incident occurred on June 18th during the course of a protest march from Kataragama/Kathirkaamam to Colombo conducted by the “Sinhala Ravaya”(sound or roar of Sinhala)against slaughter of cattle and sale of beef. No arrests were made immediately although the arson took place in full view of a Police contingent headed by an Inspector of Police.President Rajapaksa told media that the Govt would not tolerate violence against Muslims and had provided enhanced security for Muslim businesses along the route taken by the Sinhala Ravaya.