Lankan expats in Dubai pray for peace after Kandy riots

Dubai - The expat community in Dubai said that they would like to pass an important message to the motherland.

The Sri Lankan community in Dubai have expressed their anguish about the state of affairs back home and denounced all forms of violence stating that they don't endorse beliefs expressed by extremists.
Community leaders, religious leaders, senior members of the community and Sri Lankan Consulate officials gathered in an extraordinary inter-religious peace gathering at the Consulate General in Satwa on Sunday. They offered sincere condolences to Muslim families who lost their loved ones in the recent religious riots.
Muslim, Hindu, Christian and Buddhist spiritual leaders and consulate officials spoke to the residents gathered and pleaded with them to spread the message of peace.
The expat community in Dubai said that they would like to pass an important message to the motherland. "It is not acceptable anymore... Earlier the world was very small. Now we need to work together," said a visitor.
Fahim Nazeer, a resident of Dubai, originally from Dhargatown in Sri Lanka said. "It is a good thing that Sri Lankans have come together today."
Muslim priest Moulawi Riyas Ibnu Thanhan and Kelaniya Wipulagnana Nayaka Thero, a Buddhist priest from Dubai Sri Lankarama Meditation Centre spoke to the audiences. They were accompanied by Hindu priest Rajeev Lahothi and Catholic priest Rev. Father Angelo.
The recent conflicts between Sinhalese Buddhists and the Muslim communities in Kandy, the central province in the island country, has resulted in the Sri Lankan government issuing a country-wide state of emergency.
"This is the work of a few bad sections of the society. Sri Lankan's don't believe in extremism of any form... Sri Lankans in Dubai don't endorse such ideologies," said Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai Charitha Yattogoda.
He added:"I offer my profound condolences to the effected families in the Muslim community. No religion advocates violence.' The Consul General said that social media also plays a major role to spread messages of peace. "We have to act responsibly and stand together to fight extremism and work towards a bright future."
 dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com  

• Dubai