The Governor of Sri Lanka’s Southern Province warned that there would be “stiff resistance” to federalism on the island, labelling any attempt to introduce devolution a “conspiracy”.
Speaking at a Buddhist ceremony in Kandy, Governor Hemakumara Nanayakkara said that he “would continue to speak the truth according to my conscience”.
The Island reported the governor as calling on people to “oppose efforts being made to introduce federalism” and “warned that there would be stiff resistance if the government tried to create a federal state”.
He was further reported as stating that “Sinhala rulers in ancient times had treated all religions and ethnicities equally” and that “the rights of the 74 per cent of the Sinhala people should not be betrayed”.
“Those in power should make every possible effort to assist places of Buddhist worship because the shrines and the Maha Sangha were the backbone of the nation,” he added.
His comments come after Sri Lanka's Buddhist monks threatened to launch protests in the street if Tamils are granted more autonomy earlier this month.
