Violence against JHU monks increases

[TamilNet, Sunday, 25 April 2004, 18:25 GMT]
The attack on Buddhist shrines and intimidation against monks of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) is on the increase in the southern part of the country since the election of new Speaker of Sri Lanka's parliament. JHU leadership has accused the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) activists are encouraging such incidents for voting for the opposition candidate in the Speaker's election, sources said.

However the JVP, a constituent of the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA), denied any involvement, political sources said.

JHU spokesman said that JHU parliamentarians and their temples are targeted by elements that are supportive of the ruling party, UPFA.

At Hanguranketa a Buddhist temple managed by a monk who is a supporter of the main opposition United National Front (UNF) was attacked by a group of persons Saturday night.

The Police arrested two persons Sunday when they were pasting posters attacking JHU parliamentarians for voting with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in the election of the new Speaker, sources said.