In the wake of finding swords and similar weapons at Islamic religious centres, the Ministry of Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs has decided to take steps soon after the investigations of Security Forces, Secretary to the Ministry, Sinthi Mareena Mohamed told the Sunday Observer yesterday.
“We see media reports that the Security Forces are detecting weapons almost daily at religious places. However, we cannot act on those reports. We have to wait till the Security Forces complete their investigations. Based on those investigations, we will take steps against those who are responsible for those acts,” she said.
A large number of swords and other weapons were found in operations island wide in the past few days and a Municipal Councillor of Colombo was arrested on April 27 for providing 46 swords and 15 daggers to a mosque in Slave Island.
“We have told the Security Forces that they can visit any Islamic religious place to conduct investigations. We should permit them to do their job,” the Secretary said. Police spokesperson, SP Ruwan Gunasekara yesterday said the public should hand over all illegal sharp weapons such as swords and daggers to the nearest police station by yesterday or today Sunday (5).
Spokesperson for the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, Fazil Farook said that those found guilty of having weapons at Islamic religious places should be brought before the law. “These people have done extensive damage to Islamic centres of worship by having weapons. I call on the Government to take legal action against anybody found guilty of these acts,” said Fazil.
To monitor all Madrasas (Islamic religious centres) of the country and introduce one curriculum for all Madrasas, the Ministry of Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs is now developing a new Wakfs Act, said Mareena Mohamed.
“We have received Cabinet approval to draft a new Wakfs Act and will present this Bill soon,” she said.