COLOMBO: In a bid to prevent the propagation of hate speeches, the Sri Lankan government on Friday ordered the trustees of all the mosques to submit copies of sermons in new fallout from the Easter suicide bombings that left 258 dead.
The country has been on edge since the April 21 attacks that targeted three churches and three Colombo hotels which also left 500 people injured.
The Ministry of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs said mosques must not be used for radicalising congregations and submit all Jummah (Friday congregational prayer) sermons.
“In view of the prevailing situation in the country, the ministry directs all trustees of mosques not to engage in or permit any gathering to promote or propagate hatred or extremism in any form,” the ministry said.
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It said all mosques must submit copies of sermons given within their premises.
Sri Lankan extremists who had pledged allegiance to Daesh have been blamed for the April 21 bombings against three churches and three luxury hotels.
Since the attacks, the government has carried out raids across the country and killed several suspected extremists. At least 56 suspects are in custody, according to police, while authorities have also expelled 200 foreign clerics who had overstayed their visas.
Sri Lanka’s police say they have killed or arrested all the terrorists responsible for the bombings but attacks are still possible.
[source_without_link]AFP inputs[/source_without_link]