Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, general secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organization, says that Muslims pose a threat not only to Sri Lanka, but to India as well and that they are not a minority in Sri Lanka in terms of economic power and international network.
“They are a minority in number but if you look at their economic power and their international network, they are not a minority,” he said, in an interview with Pranay Sharma of the Indian news magazine, “Outlook”.
“We are aware that the majority of Muslims are innocent, but once they come under the influence of Muslim extremists, they can easily fall into smuggling, illegal weapon handling and even terrorist activities,” he claimed.
Asked why BBS, an ultra-nationalist Buddhist organization, is determined to break the peace existing in Sri Lanka, Gnanasara Thero stated that it is a completely wrong interpretation and that they are actually working towards peace.
“As an organisation, we are working towards peace. The Bodu Bala Sena is working in the path of Lord Buddha. We don’t believe in violence nor in inhuman activities,” he said.
He further stated that BBS values and believes in diversity and that whether you are a Buddhist, a Hindu or a Tamil—you will enjoy the same equal rights in Sri Lanka.
However, he pointed out that the organisation’s concern is more about a number of “international elements” that are working at destroying the peaceful social fabric of the country.
“Sinhalese or Buddhists are forming a majority in the country, but we also live in a global society that is structured by global funding, global politics and also global terrorism-all of which now work against global minorities.”
He alleged that Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia “fund Muslim extremist groups” in Sri Lanka and that some countries also promote fundamentalist Christian groups. “I don’t think it is something we should allow to happen. These are attempts to destroy the culture of our country.”
On being called racist by some sections of the public, including by prominent politicians, the Thero says they don’t mind being called that because they are only working towards protecting the nation.
“We don’t promote racism nor think that all minorities should leave this country. But the real meaning seems to get lost in translation and taken out of its context.”
“We are not promoting racism. We are only fighting to protect our race. That does not mean racism,” he stressed.
