A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
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Thiranjala Weerasinghe sj.- One Island Two Nations
?????????????????????????????????????????????????Thursday, July 31, 2014
Religious police hunting a film maker
[Natioanlist Buddhist militancy on the rise in Sri Lanka]
The sa called Relegious police ,set up some monts ago by the regime, has
requested Mr.Sirimal Wijesinghe, writer and a film director to give a
statement regardig a complaint lodged against him by a Buddhist
religious organization. The police station related religious conflicts
funtioned under the Ministry of Buddhist Affairs. Mr. Wijesinghe has
planned to produse a documentary film called Cult Monk.
In a letter to ASP, Bandula C. Perera, deputy director of the religious
police Mr. Wijesinghe has explained his motives and refused to come to
the police station. Insted he has requested the police to get a court
order for anysuch investigation.
Text of his letter:
Mr. Bandula C. Perera, ASP,
Deputy Director,
Police Station Related Religious Conflicts,
Ministry of Buddhist Affairs,
Colombo 07
Deputy Director,
Police Station Related Religious Conflicts,
Ministry of Buddhist Affairs,
Colombo 07
Dear Sir,
Rejecting to give a statement
You have asked me in writing to come to your police station to record a
statement from me pertaining to a complaint lodged by certain religious
organization.
I have understood that it is a complaint against my documentary film
Cult Monk which I am planning to create with a view of safeguarding the
untainted Buddhist heritage of the country.
1. I think this attempt is a blatant violation of the right of the
citizen to express views as guaranteed by the constitution of Sri Lanka.
2. Sri Lanka has established a number of organizations which are legally
empowered to authorize the produced films. In this context, I
thoroughly believe that giving a statement to police is clearly against
the freedom I have as an artist. I am not bound to do so.
3. Although you accuse me of producing a film, such production has not
taken place yet. I have only published a press statement regarding it.
The press statement was followed by a series of threats from religious
extremists and I have been compelled to go hiding for my safety.
4. The complaint I have lodged in regard of threats is annexed herewith.
I understand that you are not in a position you can investigate my
complaint since you are afraid of the political elements that are behind
these extremists.
5. I kindly request you to bring a court order if you want to record a
statement from me. In such situation, I can come to the courts with
media coverage. I am sure I will be acquitted and I would like to say
that your actions may create a situation I may file a human rights
petition against you.
Thanks,
Best.
Sirimal Wijesinghe.