Muslims Close Sri Lanka Mosque After Buddhist Unrest

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s Muslim Leaders Closed Down A New Mosque In Colombo On Monday After Attacks By A Buddhist Mob Revived Simmering Religious Tensions And Sparked US Concern.

The Sri Lanka Muslim Council Said It Had Agreed To Shut Its Grandpass Mosque And Move To An Older Place Of Worship Which The Government Had Earlier Earmarked For Demolition As Part Of The City’s Development.

“We Have A Compromise Deal Worked Out Last Night,” Council President NM Ameen Said.

“The Government Will Rescind The Order Acquiring The Old Mosque Premises And Will Grant More Land And Help With Renovations And Improvements.”

“From Today, We Are Out Of The New Mosque.”

Buddhist-Led Mobs Vandalised The New Mosque, Including Pelting Stones At The Building In Colombo’s Grandpass Area On Saturday, Wounding At Least Four People. Sporadic Clashes Also Erupted On Sunday Despite A Heavy Police Presence In The Neighbourhood.

Seventy Percent Of Sri Lanka’s 20 Million-Strong Population Are Buddhists, While Muslims Are The Second Largest Religious Group Making Up Just Under 10 Percent.