Some say it started after some stones were pelted at Sinhalese Buddhists from a Mosque. Others blame a fiery speech targeting Muslims by the General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS). Many blame the Police for allowing a BBS rally to proceed in an area where ethnic tensions were already at boiling point. Whatever the cause behind last week’s deadly riots in Aluthgama and Beruwala, the end result is clear for all to see; lives have been lost, houses and shops burnt, families displaced and livelihoods ruined. Meanwhile, there are fears that the worst communal violence to engulf the country since the July riots of 1983 might send it spiraling towards another ethnic conflict, barely five years after the defeat of the LTTE.

As of June 19 (Thursday), three people had been confirmed dead as a result of the violence, with 39 others injured, according to official figures released by the Police. Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said seven of the injured were police officers. However, an exact number of those killed and injured was uncertain, with some figures putting the numbers higher. Police had also arrested 55 persons in connection with the violence as of June 19. Thirty-six of these suspects were remanded after being produced before courts, the police spokesman further said. The majority of those arrested were Sinhalese, he noted. A police curfew imposed for Aluthgama and Beruwala areas on Sunday was finally lifted on Wednesday morning (June 18), though a heavy security presence, including army personnel is still visible. 
The number of those displaced by the violence continued to be sketchy, with many of those affected taking shelter with friends and relatives in the aftermath. This is in addition to over 1,000 who were being housed in schools and Mosques in the area.

The Government and law enforcement authorities have been accused of being slow to respond to the situation. Accusations have also been made by some members of the Muslim community that Police and Special Task Force (STF) personnel watched passively as rioters attacked and burned Muslim-owned shops and businesses, along with houses. However, addressing a special media briefing in Kalutara on Monday (June 16), Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K. Illangakoon vehemently denied these allegations, claiming that the police had actually prevented the situation from escalating. While admitting that police had received complaints requesting them to prevent the rally from going ahead due to fears of violence, the IGP said police allowed the rally to go ahead after speaking to its organizers and Muslims in the area. The police did not have fears of clashes breaking out as a result of the rally, the IGP is reported to have said.

Much of the blame for the violence has been laid at the feet of Bodu Bala Sena. The organization held a rally in Aluthgama on June 15 (Sunday). The rally, attended by thousands was held to protest the alleged assault on a Buddhist monk and his driver on June 12 (Poson Poya Day) by several Muslim men. Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, made a fiery speech at the rally, warning Muslims that if any of them were to lay even a finger on a Buddhist after that Sunday, that would be the end of all of them. It was after this rally that the clashes occurred.

When contacted regarding the riots and the subsequent allegations against him and his organization, Ven. Gnanasara Thera refuted them all, blaming ‘Muslim extremists’ for the violence. He said BBS was invited by Buddhist leaders in the area in the wake of tensions that prevailed after the alleged assault on Poson Poya. Contrary to allegations that they were there to rile up the mob, BBS general secretary claimed they actually went there to ease tensions, but the situation got out of hand after Buddhists were attacked. “We were escorting the Thera who was assaulted back to his temple in our vehicles when people came under attack. It was only due to our involvement that the violence did not spread. Otherwise, many more would have been killed,” he claimed.

When queried whether the speech he made could not be classified as ‘hate speech’ and one designed to instigate violence, the Thera denied this was so. However, he admitted he used ‘strong language’ in his criticism as the facts had to be made clear that the Sinhala Buddhists were being unfairly singled out by everyone.

The Thera blamed the media and the government for labeling Sinhala Buddhists as ‘culprits’ for everything when nothing could be further from the truth. 
In the wake of the violence, police obtained court orders to ban protests by groups allegedly backed by BBS in Mawanella. However, BBS vehemently denied any connection with the protest or its organizers. While BBS has no plans to hold any rallies of its own in the near future, Ven. Gnanasara Thera however blamed Police for acting out of a ‘misplaced fear’ of the organization in trying to block their protests.

The incident in Aluthgama sparked an outburst of reactions from several quarters, including politicians. Justice Minister and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauff Hakeem, who visited the affected areas the following day, became emotional as he stated that he had let down his people by not ensuring their protection.
He initially criticized the Government and the law enforcement authorities for failing to prevent the BBS meeting from being held, despite being aware of the tensions that prevailed leading up to the meeting.
Hakeem initially said he was contemplating on quitting the Government due to its continuous failure to take actions against BBS. However, in subsequent press briefings, the Minister softened his stance where ultimately it was announced that MPs of the SLMC would boycott Parliamentary sessions on June 18.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Investment Promotion, Faiszer Musthapha stated that this was not the time for blame games and that all the people should work together to build understanding between all communities.
Musthapha who was in the area while it was tense, stated that it was a difficult situation to handle as incidents were reported from several areas at the same time. Musthapha visited the area with IGP, N.K. Illangakoon.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was away in Bolivia at the time of unrest arrived in the country on Wednesday (18), visited Beruwala where he met with residents belonging to both communities.
During his visit, the President had assured an impartial inquiry into the incident and had stated that he cannot allow any harm or damage to any person or property.
He also assured that the Government would help rebuild the homes and businesses of those who were affected by the unrest.

Meanwhile, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) has taken initiatives to hold discussions with relevant authorities including Government officials in order to ensure such incidents do not occur in future.
An official attached to the ACJU told The Nation that the organization had taken measures to provide relief and other assistance to the affected families.   
An island-wide ‘Hartal’ was also launched on Thursday by Muslims in protest against the violence. Many Muslim-owned shops were closed as a result. 
While the curfew has been lifted and the situation slowly returning to what could be termed as ‘normal,’ if one were to go by the Government’s assertions, the situation seems far from settled. The ramifications of the unfortunate violence look set to continue into the coming weeks and months.

http://www.nation.lk/edition/fine/item/30434-aluthgama-and-beruwala-%E2%80%98burnt%E2%80%99-by-fires-of-racial-hatred.html