"We call upon the people to condemn these statements and reject such politicians at the election," Vimalajothi thera said.
The Bodubalasena Bhikkhu organisation yesterday condemned Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem for abusing Sinhala Buddhists as a means of securing votes from Muslims at the elections to the Eastern Provincial Council.
Addressing a media conference at the Sambuddathva Jayanthi Mandiraya, Bodu Bala Sena Chief Ven. Kirama Vimalajothi thera said Minister Hakeem was playing the racial card and must be looked down upon by all civic minded persons.
"Minister Hakim recently said that there was no religious freedom in Colombo, but just a day ago an Ifthar ceremony was also held at the Mahabodhi Society. This example amply shows the religious freedom and harmony in Colombo. The Minister’s lies cause hatred among communities," he said.
The thero accused the minister and some Muslim fundamentalists of spreading racism in the East for political mileage.
"We call upon the people to condemn these statements and reject such politicians at the election," Vimalajothi thera said.
He also asked the government to regularize the establishing of religious centres islandwide.
Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara thera said that the Tamil politicians did the same thing to pave the way for thousands of Tamil youths to join the military struggle.
"These Muslim fundamentalists are trying to create such a practice among Muslim community," he said.
Gnanasara thera said that they were not against Muslims but reject Muslim fundamentalists.
"The government forces liberated the country in 2009 and there is no need for another war," he said adding that now what the country needs is religious harmony and unity among all races.
Programme Coordinator of the Bodu Bala Sena Dr. Dilanth Vithanage said that if there are some problems for the Muslim, the Justice Minister Hakeem must inform same to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a Cabinet meeting.
"All these leaders forget the problems faced by people, but spread racism to seek votes," he said.
(Island)