President Warns Against Racist Forces in Both South and North at Jaffna Event

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Friday warned that the government will not allow racism to re-emerge in Sri Lanka, accusing certain groups of attempting to revive racial divisions after losing political power.

Speaking at the launch of the “Ratama Ekata” (A United Nation) anti-drug campaign in the Northern Province, the President said some elements were deliberately trying to stir communal tensions under the guise of religious observances and protests.

Referring to a recent incident involving the Tissa Viharaya in Jaffna, President Dissanayake said that travelling to a specific location in Jaffna to observe Sil on a Poya day, while passing the Sri Maha Bodhi, could not be regarded as an act of religious merit, but rather as one driven by hatred.

He also criticised groups that gather around temples on Poya days claiming to protest over land issues, stating that such actions were motivated by racism rather than genuine land disputes.

“The groups that gather around temples on every Poya day claiming to protest for land are not really protesting for land, but because of racism. I have instructed the intelligence services to investigate whether those protesting actually own land in those areas” the President said.

President Dissanayake further noted that extremist groups that had lost political power were attempting to re-emerge by creating racial divisions at the grassroots level.

“We will not allow any extremist or racist tendencies to rise again in our country” he said.