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Sri Lanka Muslim businesses close in protest over attacks Hardline Buddhist group blamed for outbreak of violence ucanews.com reporter, Dharga Townucanews.com reporter, Dharga TownUpdated: June 22, 2014 05:51 PM GMTMission in Asia | Make a ContributionTrending1Indonesian police arrest French 'pedophile'Jul 10, 20202Archbishop recovered from Covid-19, dies after stroke in BangladeshJul 13, 20203When thousands stand up again for democracy in Hong KongJul 13, 20204Police ordered to protect dismissed Indian nunJul 13, 20205Accident or murder? The strange case of a corruption crusaderJul 10, 20206Justice sought for Musahar leader crushed to death in IndiaJul 10, 20207Hard-hit Italian hospital has no more COVID-19 patients in intensive careJul 13, 20208The scandal of India’s Covid-19 crisisJul 13, 20209Filipino papal architect dies at 50Jul 10, 202010Fire engulfs centuries old Philippine churchJul 13, 2020Sri Lanka Muslim businesses close in protest over attacks A witness estimates that around 6,000 Muslims have been forced to shelter in mosques or displacement camps Share this article : Muslims closed their shops and restaurants on Friday in towns across Sri Lanka, in protest against a recent spate of attacks on them by extremist Buddhists. Businesses in Colombo, Beruwala, Aluthgama and other parts of the country were locked and shuttered, after what has been described as the worst outbreak of Sinhala-Muslim violence in years. Several businesses had been closed since the previous day. On the advice of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, Friday noon prayer services – normally the busiest gathering of the week - were also cut short, with attendees urged to disperse and go home promptly and quietly afterwards. Muslim businessmen said that their intention was not to provoke another clash but to prevent further incidents and highlight their plight to the government. M. Riswan Mohamed, a Muslim resident of the coastal resort town of Beruwala where violence erupted on June 15, was among those who closed his business for the day. Related News-Three Muslims killed in Sri Lanka clashesThree Muslims killed in Sri Lanka clashes “This incident has caused disharmony among the religious communities who were living in peace with their neighbors,” he said. “Massive security including police trucks, armored cars and hundreds of army solders are now patrolling with weapons in every corner.” He added that in his estimation, “more than 6,000 people have been displaced and are now staying in camps or mosques.” Mohammad Sonsuthi, owner of a three-story textile shop which was set ablaze in the June 15 riot, said that he, his wife and children were left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. He said that “the children’s school uniforms, books and birth certificates” are all lost. He added that it had taken him three days to overcome his fear and return to the gutted premises as he was still haunted by the memory of a shop he owned formerly, which was burnt to the ground during a similar clash in 2006. “Now business people and their staff are all in the same displacement camps,” he said, tearfully. At Beruwala’s Al-Humaisara displacement camp, Pathima Pazna told the harrowing tale of her ordeal when violence broke out on June 15. “Last Sunday night the curfew was in operation when intruders forced my front door open. My next door neighbor was with them.” She and her children were forced to flee into the jungle where they hid until the next morning. She added that 75 pregnant women and 156 infants were staying in the camp among a total of around 1,250 people. “How are we going to survive?” she said. “The government is not supporting us.” It is thought that the prime mover behind the attacks on the Muslims – who account for around 10 percent of the country’s population – is a hardline Buddhist group known as the BBS, or Buddhist Force. However, BBS chairman Ven. Kerama Vimalajothi Thero has strongly condemned the violence, suggesting that there may be breakaway factions within the group. “Some groups are trying to disrupt the religious unity existing in the country. Where should the Muslims go? Every citizen has the right to enjoy freedom. “This issue can be settled peacefully without engaging in any violence.” Meanwhile a prominent Buddhist monk who is also critical of extremism was found naked, beaten and unconscious on Thursday in Panadura, 30 kms south of Colombo. “I was assaulted, cut and had my robes stripped off by an unknown gang,” said Ven. Vijitha Thero who is now recovering in hospital.