Responding to the appointment of former convict and extremist monk, Galagodaaththe Gnanasara, to head the Presidential Task Force on "One country, one law", the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) expressed shock and dismay on behalf of the Muslim community in Sri Lanka.
In their statement, Ash Shaikh M. Arkam Nooramith the General Secretary for the ACJU maintained that Gnanasara's appointment "appointment tarnishes the reputation of our country in the international arena" and hampered "peace and harmony initiatives".
"We express our disappointment on the appointment of a controversial individual for a responsible position, who is known for inciting disharmony within different religious and ethnic communities, especially hurting the religious sentiments of the Muslim community, in spite of the presence of many legal and religious leaders who are working day and night for the establishment of peace, harmony and coexistence in our country" he stated.
Gnanasara was previously found guilty on two counts and sentenced to 6 months in prison for threatening the wife of Prageeth Eknaligoda; a critic of the then government in 2010. He was released from prison following a presidential pardon.
Earlier this week the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) expressed their concern over the task force warning it "may target minority communities on the island".
Read the full ACJU statement here.
