This (The Muslims of Sri Lanka) is a must read indeed for anyone who has any hope for a peaceful, prosperous and pluralistic Sri Lanka. The subsequent parts of the article which will appear in future must also be read. The well organised, intensive and sustained land grab by Muslims in Sinhala dominated areas have been in operation since mid 70s as the writer rightly highlights. I find this subject very interesting as a guy who has witnessed this phenomenon since my early teenage years in my birth place in Central hills and later in many parts of the country while engaged in my professional life. This land grab, often supported by funds from the Middle Eastern states, is so sustained and intense that in many instances entire villages become Muslim in a couple years time leaving only the Buddhist temple which also vanishes shortly afterwards. Though the intensity of it is not confined to a particular region, the eastern district of Ampara has been targeted vigorously. This is demonstrated by the sheer number of Sinhala villages that have disappeared in last few decades.
Tamils in Northern province were lucky and escaped this tsunami type of Muslim colonization thanks to 30 years long war. However, Minister Rishad Bathurdeen seems catching up that lost time unleashing a massive Muslim settlement schemes both in Wilpattu and other areas in North and East.
If unchecked with a strong political intervention by a future patriotic government, the consequences are pretty obvious. This political intervention should certainly accompany a robust population control mechanism aimed at Muslim community, which seems almost impossible given the sheer opposition it will generate locally and internationally. But someone must do it. Some have, of course, done it. The case in point is Singapore.
Tamils in Northern province were lucky and escaped this tsunami type of Muslim colonization thanks to 30 years long war. However, Minister Rishad Bathurdeen seems catching up that lost time unleashing a massive Muslim settlement schemes both in Wilpattu and other areas in North and East.
If unchecked with a strong political intervention by a future patriotic government, the consequences are pretty obvious. This political intervention should certainly accompany a robust population control mechanism aimed at Muslim community, which seems almost impossible given the sheer opposition it will generate locally and internationally. But someone must do it. Some have, of course, done it. The case in point is Singapore.
