Sri Lankan government plays down hard-line monks' views

The Sri Lankan government Tuesday played down the views expressed by a group of hard-line monks who are demanding radical constitutional changes to promote Buddhism and the Sinhala community, media reported.

Government spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was quoted as saying that the government did not endorse the views of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) expressed at a conference in Colombo over the weekend, Xinhua reported.

He said that if anyone felt threatened by the views expressed by any group or individual then there is a legal system in place where the concerns on such issues can be addressed.

The cabinet Tuesday also approved the appointment of a Cabinet Sub-Committee on Social Reconciliation and Coexistence Among Communities.

The sub-committee will be presided over by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and will comprise ministers to monitor and facilitate the implementation of the recommendations of a post-war local commission known as the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), aimed at strengthening of coexistence among communities.

The BBS Sunday issued an ultimatum to the government, saying it would not hesitate to push for a change of government if the government failed to address what it says was a threat faced by Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

BBS president Kirama Wimalajothi, speaking at a conference, also insisted that Sri Lanka was not a multi-religious country.