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Expressing his views on a move to set up a Muslim regiment in the Sri Lanka Army, Gatambe Rajapawanaramadhipathy Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimala Thera waed of adverse effects of such a step.

“The establishment of an army regiment on ethnic basis will inevitably lead to the aggravation of ethnic conflicts, and this is quite contrary to the “Mahinda Chintanaya programme” advocating the creation of harmony among all races including Muslims.” the Thera said. He said the establishment of a Muslim regiment would add momentum to the decades long conflicts between two racial groups, Sinhala and Tamil despite peace and harmony prevailed during the long history of Sri Lanka.“Since the Muslim community do not appear to have claimed for a separate army regiment for their protection we do not know whose interest such a move will serve” he said.

The Thera requests the Sri Lanka Army to abandon that idea if such a step was being taken to establish an army regiment on ethnic basis which will lead to envy, selfishness and conflicts among racial groups. (182)